Lawyer parents deny son's allegations in drug case
NATICK — A 20-year-old Natick man accused of dealing marijuana out of his home told police his mother and stepfather, both prominent lawyers, knew about his drug business and failed to stop it, according to court documents.
However, Kathy Jo Cook, former president of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, and Timothy Wilton, a professor at Suffolk University Law School, denied the allegations in a statement Wednesday night.
Jonathon Cook, 20, was arrested Friday after Natick police served a search warrant at his family’s home on Glen Street. Police found 15 bags of marijuana, a scale and other paraphernalia, and three weapons: a shotgun, a set of brass knuckles, and a double-edged throwing knife.
According to a police report on file in Natick District Court, Cook told officers that his stepfather helped him build a grow room for the marijuana and shared in his drug dealing profits. Cook told investigators his mother instructed him to burn marijuana he had before calling police about a shooting at the family home on July 31.
Cook was arraigned Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, drug violation in a school zone, and firearms violations. He was ordered held on $50,000 bail.
‘‘As a family, we care so much about Jonathon, which makes this situation extraordinarily difficult for us,’’ his mother and stepfather said in their statement. ‘‘We are not only extremely concerned about Jonathon and the charges against him, but also saddened to hear about the allegations against us. These allegations are false, and we were extremely surprised to hear about them. As lawyers, we have deep faith in the legal system, and are confident that as this matter unfolds, the truth will surface.’’
Natick police Chief Nick Mabardy said police are investigating Cook’s allegations, but have so far found no evidence to support them.
News of the family’s trouble shocked the affluent neighborhood near the Wellesley line. ‘‘We’re afraid,’’ said Benjamin King, a neighbor. ‘‘I think it’s pretty scary with what’s been going on over there the past couple of weeks.’’
According to the police report, detectives started investigating Cook after he was shot in the hand during a home invasion reported July 31. Cook said he was shot by an unidentified rifle-wielding assailant who broke into the basement and allegedly attacked Cook and a friend there. Police have not made an arrest in that case.
When police searched Cook’s home Friday, they discovered an area of the basement that had been converted to grow marijuana, with lighting, timers and irrigation, the police report said. In addition to the weapons, police also confiscated $700 in cash with serial number matching a set of ‘‘controlled buys’’ made recently by undercover officers, the report said.
After his arrest, Cook told police that he had sold marijuana in the past while living in Framingham, but stopped a year ago when he got a job installing fire suppression systems. In recent months, he lost his job, moved back into his family’s home, and began selling marijuana again, according to the police report filed by Detetctive Daniel R. Brogan.
Police records show Jonathon Cook has an outstanding restraining order in place, taken out by a 20-year-old Framingham woman last November.
Cook alleged his parents were aware of his drug activity, and that he sold marijuana to his stepfather as recently as a month ago, the police report said. He also alleged that Wilton had stolen pot from him. He also told investigators that he and Wilton were growing plants together in the basement, and agreed to split the profits.
Cook told police that after the shooting on July 31, his mother became upset and instructed him to destroy five plants by burning them in the family’s backyard.
Kathy Jo Cook is an attorney with the Boston law firm Wagner Cook Frieberger & Washienko. Wilton, a former trial attorney, is a full-time faculty member at Suffolk Law School. Calls to their offices and home were not returned yesterday.
The university had no comment on the allegations, spokesman Greg Gatlin said Wednesday.
The Middlesex district attorney’s office refused further comment on the case Wednesday, said spokesman Corey Welford.
Erica Noonan can be reached at enoonan@globe.com
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