By Steve Landwehr
HAMILTON — Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said yesterday some members of the Hamilton Police Department may draw attention of state prosecutors in the wake of the expanding corruption scandal on the force.
"As a matter of policy, this office neither confirms nor denies any criminal investigations," Blodgett said. "However, since this situation directly affects public safety in the town of Hamilton, I have spoken to the attorney general's office about it.'
Specifically, Blodgett said he has had discussions with Rick Grundy, who heads the attorney general's Criminal Bureau.
A spokesman for the office said state attorneys are not permitted to speak to the press.
Dick Low, chairman of the selectmen, said last night that the U.S. Attorney's Office has also been asked to intercede.
Nineteen Hamilton police officers — including Chief Walter Cullen — and five Danvers officers were found by state investigators to have falsified documents related to their EMT training.
Cullen and Sgt. Donald Dupray were place on paid leave by town selectmen late last week after an independent investigator told the board the two had been involved in a scheme to defraud the state of a $6,100 grant.
The investigator, Robert Pomeroy, is now the town's interim police chief.
