AG Coakley To Probe Probation Department

The Massachusetts Attorney General is promising an aggressive investigation into the relationships between top officials at the state Probation Department and lawmakers who recommended people for work there.

Attorney General Martha Coakley says her office is trying to figure out what other law enforcement agencies may also be investigating the Probation Department.

Coakley says she finds the conclusions of a report for the state Supreme Judicial Court on patronage at the department upsetting.

"The report is complex," Coakley said. "It certainly shows a picture that's disturbing and we are going to move as aggressively as we can to get this right."

The report from independent counsel Paul Ware says the Probation Department counted on regular budget increases in exchange for hiring supporters of state lawmakers.

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