He lied about being a Marine and receiving a Purple Heart — and he was on a rant at Lawrence City Hall yesterday. Former Lawrence School Committee member James Stokes, who is serving a two-year probation for trumping up a false record as a veteran, joined a group in Mayor Michael Sullivan’s office yesterday protesting troubles in the School Department.
Stokes spoke up, running off a litany of all the things he’s done for the city (“I” seemed to be a recurring word). He eventually landed on two specific complaints, however. Stokes claims he was asked by a police officer to leave a cemetery on Memorial Day and says his grandson wasn’t allowed to attend high school graduation — both of which Stokes claims were political retribution. Stokes couldn’t name the police officer, however, and says he’d recognize the school safety officer that told him his son couldn’t march.
The mayor says he will investigate Stoke’s allegation about his grandson.
” … That’s a serious violation of state law.” Sullivan said.
RELATED STORIES:
- Stokes gets probation, community service for impersonating Marine (May 22, 2008)
- Laboy protest brings complaints about everything from paper towels to intimidation (April 10, 2009)
Noah R. Bombard is the new media editor for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover. He is a former award-winning newspaper and magazine editor who has been covering news in Massachusetts since 1997.