Newly elected Lawrence school committeeman's claims of military service disputed

(Erik Jacobs for The Boston Globe)

James Stokes (center) celebrated his victory in the District F school committee race after voting in Lawrence on Nov. 6.

By Russell Contreras, Globe Staff

A newly elected Lawrence school committeeman, who has said he served 20 years in the US Marines, does not show up in military records, a spokeswoman for the Marines told the Globe today.

James Stokes, who defeated an incumbent last month, may lose his seat if an investigation finds he falsified election documents that said he was a veteran, city officials said. He submitted a signed affidavit to election officials stating that he served in the military, said Rafael Tejeda, the Lawrence election bilingual coordinator. Stokes told voters at forums that he served 20 years in the US Marines.

In a telephone interview with the Globe this week, Stokes said he served for six years. When asked to provide his years of service, Stokes said, "I don't want to talk anymore. My head hurts."

He could not be reached today for comment.

Francisco Urena, Lawrence’s veteran affair director, said the city is scrutinizing documents Stokes submitted to document his military service. Captain B. E. Binstock, spokeswoman for the Marines, said today she was unable to locate a James Stokes with either of the two birth dates Stokes had used on documents. The dates of birth would make him either 62 or 64 years old.

This week, after the Globe conducted a criminal background check, Stokes acknowledged that he had served three months in jail for forgery and larceny in 1964. The background check also revealed that Stokes was charged with forgery, larceny, uttering, and a compulsory insurance violation in 1986. Records in Lowell District Court indicate that Stokes forged documents related to a raffle and a bazaar.

Records from North Carolina also show that Stokes served at least three months in prison there for cheating someone over property and services. Stokes denied serving time in North Carolina. Records show that a James Stokes with the same date of birth and Social Security number was in jail.

Stokes has run for a number of Lawrence offices and finally won in November, defeating incumbent Greg Morris for the District F seat on the school committee.
Stokes promised that, if elected, he would vote to fire Lawrence Superintendent Wilfredo T. Laboy. If Stokes loses his seat, incumbent Morris would keep his school committee position.

Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com.

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