Staff Reports
Federal prosecutors say Lamar Cook, a onetime appointee in Governor Maura Healey’s administration, has been arrested and charged with stealing taxpayer-funded food benefits. The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint accusing Cook of SNAP fraud and wire fraud. If true, the allegations read like a how-not-to guide for public servants: claim you’re broke, take benefits, then go on vacation.
Federal charges and who’s speaking
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced the charges, and prosecutors filed a complaint that accuses Cook of one count of SNAP (program) fraud and one count of wire fraud. Prosecutors say those counts carry serious maximum penalties if he is convicted — years behind bars for what looks like a bold attempt to steal from the very people SNAP is meant to help. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley called the conduct “simply egregious,” and the case has been handled by the office’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit. Inspector generals from USDA and HHS also weighed in, condemning the alleged theft of benefits.
What prosecutors allege
According to the affidavit summarized by prosecutors, Cook applied for SNAP benefits while on court-ordered pretrial release in an unrelated state drug and firearm case. The complaint alleges he claimed zero income, underreported his bank balance, and left out household members who should have been counted — including a fiancée who reportedly earns more than $80,000. Court filings cite bank balances of roughly $13,000 in one month and over $8,800 in another, a small tax refund, roughly $12,000 in Zelle transfers from his mother after a lottery win, and a post-termination payout for accrued vacation. Officials allege the EBT card was used by household members and even on an out-of-state trip. These are allegations in a complaint; Cook is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the case moves through court.
Payroll and oversight failures — and political fallout
One striking detail is that state payroll systems paid out and could not immediately recover a vacation payout after Cook was fired following his earlier arrest. That raises questions about oversight in the governor’s office and payroll controls that allowed a terminated employee to keep cash. When a former aide is accused of this kind of fraud, it’s fair to expect answers from the administration that appointed him. Voters should want to know how checks and balances failed — and whether lessons are being learned, not swept under the rug.
At its core, this is about accountability. Benefit fraud hurts low-income families who actually need SNAP. If the allegations are proven, prosecutors should pursue justice to the fullest extent, and state officials must fix the payroll and benefit systems that made it possible. Keep an eye on the federal case, the Hampden County cooperation that helped the probe, and any statements from the governor’s office. When public trust is broken, taxpayers deserve swift answers — and a little less incompetence from those running the show.
