Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik has forfeited five vacation days following an internal affairs investigation linked to testimony from Read’s trial.
A Massachusetts State Police investigator who supervised embattled Trooper Michael Proctor has forfeited five vacation days after failing to reprimand Proctor for inappropriate text messages he sent during the Karen Read case.
Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik “failed to properly supervise and/or counsel a subordinate for sending inappropriate correspondence regarding an ongoing investigation,” according to a copy of the personnel order shared with reporters Monday.
Read, 44, is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe; prosecutors allege she deliberately backed her SUV into O’Keefe after a night of bar-hopping with friends in January 2022. Her lawyers have alleged a coverup, putting law enforcement and prosecutors under the microscope.
Proctor, the lead investigator on Read’s case, admitted to sending vulgar texts about Read to family, friends, and coworkers throughout his investigation, including messages that called Read derogatory names and poked fun at her Crohn’s disease, appearance, and accent. In one text, Proctor said he hoped Read would kill herself.