Former Massachusetts State Official Charged with SNAP Fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice reports in its press release (quotation, not an independent finding): “BOSTON – Former Massachusetts state official, Lamar Cook, has been arrested for fraudulently obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, receiving over $500 per month, while on court ordered pretrial release in connection with a pending state indictment for alleged cocaine trafficking and firearm offenses. Lamar Cook, 46, of Springfield, Mass., was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of SNAP fraud and wire fraud. Cook will appear in federal court in Boston later today. In 2023, the Governor of Massachusetts appointed Cook to serve as the Western MA Deputy Director in Springfield, Mass. Cook was terminated in October 2025 after he was detained at the Springfield State Office building and later charged by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office for alleged drug and firearm offenses. According to court documents, Cook earned a yearly salary of $130,227 and was later paid $22,374.29 in net pay for accrued vacation leave following his termination. The Commonwealth later “realized an error in paying Mr. Cook for accrued vacation leave time, the Commonwealth attempted to reverse the direct deposits, but it could not do so due to insufficient funds available in the accounts.” According to court filings in the federal criminal case, Cook’s bank account continued to hold balances of approximately $13,000 as of January 2026 and over $8,800 in April 2026. Cook also allegedly received a federal and state tax refund in May 2026 from his employment with the Governor’s Office for the 2025 calendar year in the amount of $2,497.88. Addit”