Lynn Clark, Falsifying Threatening Messages, Massachusetts 2024

Chicopee Superintendent Sentenced for Sending Threats

BOSTON – Lynn Clark, 53, of Belchertown, was sentenced yesterday for making false statements in connection with her sending 99 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee Police Chief.

Clark, the former Superintendent of the Chicopee Public Schools, pleaded guilty in January 2024 to two counts of making false statements. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to serve one year of probation and pay a $1,000 fine.

The investigation revealed that a total of approximately 99 threatening messages were sent from fictitious phone numbers purchased through a mobile app. Phone and internet records revealed that these numbers were purchased by Clark and that these accounts sent each of the threatening messages. Clark made false statements to law enforcement denying that she had downloaded a mobile app with which she purchased the fictitious phone numbers to send the messages. Clark later admitted that she did indeed send the messages and downloaded the app.

Clark also falsely claimed to be a victim and stated that she received threatening text messages from unknown phone numbers, when, in fact she sent the messages to herself. Additionally, over the course of the investigation, Clark falsely accused at least five other, innocent individuals of sending the threatening text messages – including the victim’s fellow police officers, a City employee and her own son.

“In a relentless effort to evade accountability, Ms. Clark’s actions and lies not only harmed innocent people and tarnished the reputation of Chicopee, but also sowed chaos and wasted invaluable investigative resources,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This calculated misconduct, which spanned false accusations against police officers, a city employee, and even her own son, underscores a flagrant disregard for the repercussions of her actions.”

“Former Chicopee School Superintendent Lynn Clark failed to lead by example when she falsely claimed she was a victim of a crime and then repeatedly lied to the FBI,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s sentence makes it clear that willfully lying to federal agents will be result in serious consequences.”

Lynn Clark, a 53-year-old resident of Belchertown, was sentenced for making false statements in connection with sending 99 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee Police Chief. The crime took place in Massachusetts in 2021. Clark’s sentence includes one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Public Corruption

Diaz's Demise: Rebels Demand Resignation as Peace Talks Sizzle in El Paso

May 4, 1911

Public Corruption

North Las Vegas Mayors Office, Disability Discrimination, Nevada 2023

Sep 25, 2014

Public Corruption

Beneath the Surface of Paris: Turmoil, Strikes, and a Haunting Specter

Oct 12, 1898

Public Corruption

Union Club Owner, Embezzlement, New York 2022

Jun 3, 1882