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| Corrections center focus of gambling probe |
| By Lynn Daily Item |
| Published: 11/01/2004 |
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Investigators with the Massachusetts Commissioner of Probation's office are probing allegations of gambling by state employees in the Lynn Community Corrections Center. "Our response is that we are aware of the allegations, and we are looking into the matter," said Coria Holland, director of communications for the probation commissioner. Investigation began after a package was sent anonymously to Sheriff Frank Cousins' Jr. earlier this week, alleging employees of the Essex County Sheriff's Department were involved in a "bookmaking operation" out of the Corrections Center offices on South Common Street. The letter included an unsigned note alleging a "big operation, thousands of dollars under your nose," and copies of what appear to be office pool style grids and pick-sheets for recent football games. The grids list numerous bettors by first name and last name initial, or only by initials, but record no specific dollar amounts placed on any games. The only mention of cash in any of the documents is an admonition at the bottom of pick-sheets for games on Monday, Oct. 3, requiring "All money and sheets must be in Thurs@noon. No Exceptions." A sheet from the following week's games omits any mention of money, and a proviso "Pool is for entertainment purposes only" has been added. Paul Fleming, spokesman for the Essex County Sheriffs Department, said Cousins' received the letter, and assigned the investigation to an Internal Affairs officer. Fleming said the man determined Sheriff's Department employees were not involved, and subsequently passed the information along to the commissioner of probation. Holland said the information had just reached the commissioner recently, and the scale or degree of the betting, or even what has taken place, is not clear. She was also unaware of whether the probation commission has any workplace regulations or rules prohibiting office betting-pools. The letter's sender, who promised in the note to come forward if his allegations were made public, alleged that the betting is being run by two individuals in the Lynn office, a man and woman. |
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