Mass. Probation Officer Placed On Leave With Pay

The acting chief probation officer at Hampshire Superior Court has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Christopher Hoffman was named to the position in December 2009 and earns about $73,000 a year.

Office of the Commissioner of Probation spokeswoman Coria Holland did not provide additional information about the decision to place Hoffman on leave Wednesday.

A message left for Hoffman at his home was not immediately returned.

There are ongoing state and federal investigations into the probation department's hiring practices and other public integrity matters.

Last month Attorney General Martha Coakley announced indictments against the state's former probation commissioner John O'Brien, and the chief of staff to former state Treasurer Timothy Cahill.

Both pleaded not guilty.

The department is also the focus of a probe by U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz.