A Herald public records appeal has revealed that Gov. Maura Healey’s office and State Police knew about embattled former aide LaMar Cook’s criminal history, which includes serious 2001 gun charges, before they hired him as the $115,968 Western Massachusetts deputy director.

In a response, ordered by the Secretary of State’s Office, to an appeal by the Herald to a blanket denial by state police to release records related to Cook’s background check, MSP Deputy Chief Legal Counsel Siobhan Kelly disclosed what the department wishes to withhold from the public and why. That includes information indicating that the governor’s office likely knew about Cook’s 2001 gun charges, where he allegedly jumped out of a car and fired a gun at people sitting on a porch.

They hired him anyway.

“The Department has in its possession LaMar Cook’s Background Check, inclusive of: (i) the candidate’s completed background check paperwork; (ii) information compiled by the Department’s State Office of Investigations (SOI) concerning the candidate’s personal, professional, driving, tax histories, as well as the results of a standard search of all applicable Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) information; and (iii) a memorandum and summary of this information authored by an assigned member of the SOI with the status of trooper,” Kelly wrote.

“The purpose of the background check is to ensure that the hiring or appointing agency is fully informed in making its employment decision, and aware of information that may bear on suitability, trustworthiness, readiness, and competence of a potential employee or applicant,” Kelly said.

Cook was arrested in 2001 in connection with a shooting in Springfield, where he and another man allegedly got out of a car and began firing at people on a nearby porch. He was charged, along with two others, with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a handgun within 500 feet of a dwelling and unlicensed possession of a firearm.

According to the Boston Globe, court records related to the 2001 charges against Cook were ordered sealed and the outcome of the case remains unknown.

Cook was arrested in late October after State Police intercepted 21 kilograms of cocaine being shipped to the Springfield State Office where he worked. Troopers also seized an unregistered gun and ammunition from Cook, who is charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

As part of its explanation as to why it wishes to withhold information related to Cook’s background check, Kelly explained that the “Department is unaware of any instance in which a background check for any current or former employee – or any portion thereof – has ever before been disclosed as a public record by SOI.”

The explanation from State Police comes after the Secretary of State’s Office ordered the department to do so based on the seriousness of the charges Cook faces, paired with his prior position in the Healey Administration, that certain aspects of his background check may be considered public record.

He had worked in the Healey administration since 2023, and there have been growing demands from the public for the governor to provide information on the hiring practices that led to Cook’s employment.

The Healey Administration has faced numerous calls to release information related to Cook’s background check and the hiring process since his arrest. All three Republican gubernatorial candidates have called on Gov. Healey to release all documents and communications related to Cook’s hiring process. Leading Republican state lawmakers are also calling for Healey to provide “full transparency” on the hiring of Cook. In addition, gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy has recently vowed to release all documents related to Cook, if he is elected.

State payroll records indicate Cook had been paid $96,564 so far this year. His annual salary was $115,968.

The Healey Administration fired Cook immediately, following his arrest, calling it “a major breach of public trust” and “unacceptable.” Cook is currently out on bail as he awaits trial.

The Springfield State Office Building, where Gov. Maura Healey maintains an office. (Mass.gov photo)