Former Chicopee school superintendent Lynn Clark pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to making false statements to law enforcement.
Clark was accused of purchasing disposable phone numbers through an online app and using those numbers to send threatening text messages to a police chief candidate. The messages threatened to expose embarrassing and defaming information about the victim unless he ended his police-chief candidacy.
Police used phone and internet records to discover who purchased the numbers used to text the victim. The search brought officials to Ms. Clark.
According to the U.S. District Attorney’s blog, when questioned about the text messages
Clark falsely claimed to be a victim and stated to agents that she received threatening text messages from unknown phone numbers, when, in fact she sent the messages to herself. Clark also falsely named other City employees who she felt may be responsible for sending the messages. On or about Feb. 7, 2022, Clark again falsely stated that she did not know who sent the messages in addition to 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.
Authorities charged Clark with two counts of making false statements. She pleaded guilty to the charges in front of Judge Mark Mastronianni. She faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $10,000. Sentencing will take place at a later date.