Two Law Enforcement Agencies State Cosgrove Case Still Open

Officials of two law enforcement agencies indicated yesterday that the case of Sergeant Cosgrove has not gone unnoticed. Cosgrove is the former head of the Cambridge vice squad demoted shortly after helping to arrest seven gamblers.

The controversy over Cosgrove's demotion arose last summer when Federal Judge William T. McCarthy said that the State Crime Commission should investigate the connection between the sergeant's transfer and racketeering in Cambridge. McCarthy made this statement after the trial in which the seven gamblers, including two Cambridge residents, were convicted for conducting a syndicate in Sommerville.

Charles E. Pelletier, office manager of the Massachusetts Special Crime Commission, said that "the matter has been called to our attention and we are watching the situation closely."

Pelletier refused to say whether or not the Commission was planning any special investigation into the situation, but he pointed out that "the Commission's investigations are usually secret, and we are not permitted to disclose when one will be made."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Middlesex County District Attorney's office said that his office would "investigate the situation." At the same time the District Attorney himself, Ephraim Martin, pointed out that the city could employ anyone it wished. But, he added, "my job is to investigate and indict, if possible, persons violating the criminal laws, and gambling is a crime in this State."

Cambridge City Manager John J. Curry '19 refused to comment on the case or on the identity of the two gamblers who were convicted in Federal Court while on the city payroll. Curry said that "it is our policy never to comment on any matter before the City Council."