Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey continues to be in the crosshairs of the fallout of a federal drug bust after authorities discovered one of her top aides had kilos of cocaine shipped to his office for distribution.
Now new reports have surfaced that the aide at the center of the scandal somehow managed to walk away with a huge payday shortly after his arrest.
LaMar Cook, a top staffer for Healey, was hit with drug trafficking charges last October after authorities intercepted eight kilograms of cocaine being delivered to a state office building, according to reports.
Now in shocking new twist, Healey’s office admitted that Cook was paid more than $30,000 for his unused vacation days.
According to payroll records obtained by The Boston Globe, Cook had a base pay of roughly $99,000 and was rewarded with an extra $31,438.56 in “buy back,” or unused vacation pay, after his arrest in late October.
However, Healey’s office stated this week that the payout was an oversight and that it should have never happened.
“Taxpayer dollars should never go to an individual who engaged in this type of outrageous criminal activity. This payment was erroneously made, and we have taken action to get it back,” a spokesman for Healey’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance said in a statement.
Cook, who has served as deputy director of Healey’s western Massachusetts office since 2023, was charged with trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition related to the bust.
Cook was arrested during an October 2025 traffic stop, three days after authorities conducted a “controlled delivery operation” of eight kilos of cocaine to the Springfield State Office Building, where Cook was working for Gov. Healy.
“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said at the time of Cook’s arrest.
A spokesperson for the governor’s office said state officials fired Cook “effectively immediately” after learning of his arrest, Boston.com reported last October.
“The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the spokesperson said.
“This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
The ongoing investigation continues to be a hot button issue for voters in Massachusetts.
two Republicans challenging Healey in the upcoming 2026 election took to social media to slam the Democratic governor after the cocaine bust.
“Healey has lost control of every aspect of her administration,” Mike Kennealy, a Republican former state official, wrote on X at the time of Cook’s arrest.
“When I’m Governor, we’ll clean up the mess that Maura Healey created.”
I’m not making this up – a Healey staffer allegedly had eight kilos of cocaine delivered to the Western Mass Governors office.
Healey has lost control of every aspect of her administration.
When I'm Governor, we'll clean up the mess that Maura Healey created. pic.twitter.com/wf11gPCBVm
— Mike Kennealy for Governor (@MikeKennealy) October 29, 2025
“A top aide to Gov. Maura Healey is a drug trafficker. This is beyond shocking,” Brian Shortsleeve, the former head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, wrote on X.
“This is a reflection not just on our governor and her failed leadership and management skills, but on our entire state, and we shouldn’t tolerate it.
“Gov. Healey owes Massachusetts an explanation.”
This is an ongoing story. Check back for further updates.