Merrimack Valley

Police seek to search superintendent's office in criminal probe

A School Committee member who made the accusations calls for the superintendent's immediate suspension

By Mark E. Vogler and Gretchen M. Putnam
Staff writers
Published: June 19, 2009

LAWRENCE — State and local police are inside School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy's office, preparing to execute a search warrant to seize "computers and other materials."

Police Chief John J. Romero confirmed police were inside the superintendent's office late this afternoon but would not say whether Laboy was the subject of the investigation.

"We are currently working with state police assigned to District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office," he said. "We are in the process of applying for search warrants to seize computers and other materials at the department."

Police arrived about 3 p.m. this afternoon. Mayor Michael Sullivan said police are currently pulling information on personal computers in the media room where the school department's printing press is located. He declined to comment on the investigation but did say he was concerned this was another "black eye" for Lawrence.

"It's been an ugly last couple of months," Sullivan said.

He said he has not talked to Laboy today. When asked if he still had confidence in his superintendent, Sullivan said "I have a different take."

"I've worked along side him for eight years, built a number of schools and test scores are going the right way," Sullivan said. "I've seen a lot of good, positive things that have happened."

The criminal investigation stems from complaints by School Committeeman Sammy Reyes. He has already filed complaints with several state agencies asking them to probe ethics violations and other alleged misconduct involving Laboy and others and is now seeking criminal prosecution of the superintendent.

"All I can tell you is that I've asked the Lawrence Police Department to look into financial improprieties that directly involve the superintendent," Reyes said. "It's unfortunate that we're in this situation, but I want the superintendent to be held accountable for his actions. And if there is an ongoing investigation, I'm going to be asking that the superintendent get suspended immediately."

Laboy is expected to return to his $200,000-a-year job next week after being on medical leave since checking into the hospital for work-related stress on May 14.

Reyes said he was interviewed for about 40 minutes by two detectives. He said he provided them with the same formal complaint that he initially filed with Blodgett's office.

The latest allegations against Laboy are not the same complaints that Reyes filed previously with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the state Ethics Commission and the state Inspector General's Office.

The state Office of Campaign and Political Finance is investigating whether three School Committee members and other politicians had signs and campaign literature printed at no cost on the School Department's printing press. Reyes alleged that those who benefited included School Committee members Peter Larocque, Gregory Morris and Priscilla Baez and former committee member Omaira Mejia. Reyes said the agency is also looking at several local and state politicians who benefited from material generated by the School Department printing press.

Reyes filed a similar complaint with the state Ethics Commission. In a previous interview, he said that probe is also looking at allegations that Laboy and other School Department staff used the printing press for personal, non-school-related projects. Reyes said the commission was provided information which shows Laboy had menus and mailers done for his son, who runs a pizza business in Methuen; for his church; several magazines; an organization that he belongs to; and for his wife's job at Lowell Public Schools.

Reyes also told officials involved in those investigations that he was concerned that Laboy and other members of his staff were attempting to destroy computer, documents and other incriminating evidence that would prove wrongdoing.

Reyes declined to elaborate on the specifics of his latest accusations against Laboy, saying he doesn't want to compromise what is now a criminal investigation.

But, he insists the allegations are serious enough to justify the superintendent stepping down.

"At this point, I don't believe that the superintendent has what it takes to move this school district forward because - with conduct like this - he has shown poor judgement and poor leadership skills," Reyes said. "It's time that the school district move forward without Superintendent Laboy. I no longer see him as the face of the Lawrence Public Schools. I see him as a distraction for the Lawrence Public Schools."

Photos

Eagle-Tribune/Staff Photographer