CHICOPEE – A federal grand jury indicted Chicopee Superintendent Lynn Clark on April 21 for allegedly making false statements during an FBI examination into the city’s search for a new police chief.

Following the news, an official statement confirmed that Clark will no longer be the serving as the district’s superintendent.

Superintendent Status

On April 22, Communications and Special Projects Manager Rachel Beaulieu issued a statement on behalf of Mayor John Vieau regarding Clark’s status. Following the School Committee’s executive session during its meeting on April 20, the committee decided to act regarding Clark’s contract.

“The School Committee has taken action in accordance with Ms. Clark’s contract and she will no longer be carrying out responsibilities as superintendent of the Chicopee Public Schools. The School Committee will, at its next meeting, consider the appointment of an acting superintendent for the remainder of the school year.”

The statement continued, “In the meantime, our staff remains focused on teaching and learning, and providing the best education possible for our students. Because this is a personnel matter, I have been advised by legal counsel not comment any further at this time.”

Previously during their April 6 meeting, the School Committee approved an 8-3 vote that placed Clark under paid administrative leave. The vote also approved a request for Clark to immediately resign from her superintendent position.

Indictment

On April 6, the FBI arrested Clark at her Belchertown home and presented two charges during a brief court session. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Office Joseph R. Bonavolonta made the official announcement on behalf of the United States Department of Justice.

According to an FBI affidavit, a candidate for police chief allegedly received 99 threatening messages sent from inauthentic phone numbers purchased through a mobile app. The Department of Justice concluded through phone and internet records that Clark purchased the phone numbers in question.

When questioned, Clark allegedly denied sending the messages on multiple occasions. Clark initially suggested that the messages could have been sent by other city employees, the candidate’s colleagues or a member of Clark’s own family before admitting she sent the messages, according to the affidavit.

The police chief search endured a temporary pause in December due to the allegations. The search continued a few months later with the impacted candidate choosing not to reapply for the position. The city ultimately selected Patrick Major as its new police chief on April 15.
A charge for false statements can lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Clark and her lawyer Jared Olanoff addressed the allegations during an April 8 press conference at the United States Federal Court House. Speaking on behalf of Clark, Olanoff said the superintendent denied the allegations and critiqued the treatment of his client.

“To say that she has been treated fairly in the public realm, that has not been in the case. I would specifically reference a lot of the comments of the Chicopee School Committee and those members as to commenting on the alleged conduct at this point … We take real issue with that, it’s inappropriate. At this point, we’re asking people to have an open mind,” said Olanoff.

As of press time, Clark was set to appear in federal court on April 27.