Springfield State Office Building — Former Workplace and Package Interception Site
A former Massachusetts state official is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he collected food assistance benefits while hiding a six-figure salary, a sizable bank balance and two live-in household members, including a fiancée who earned additional income. Lamar Cook allegedly received about $546 per month in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits despite having an $8,800 bank balance and a state salary of $130,227 a year.
According to WCVB, federal prosecutors say Cook falsely reported zero income and less than $100 in his bank account when he applied for the benefits in April. He also allegedly failed to disclose that his fiancée and her mother lived with him at his Springfield residence, and that his fiancée earned more than $80,000 a year, the station reported…