Report: Court Order May Lead To Settlement

A court order may lead to a settlement in the case of Hampshire Superior Court's acting chief probation officer who has been charged with intimidating and harassing a witness in a federal investigation.

Christopher J. Hoffman was arrested in December and charged with two counts of obstruction of justice.

The Republican of Springfield reports that following an order issued by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, Hoffman's lawyer and prosecutors are trying to resolve the case short of a trial.

A spokeswoman for the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz declined comment to the newspaper. It could not reach Vincent Bongiorni, who is Hoffman's lawyer.

Bongiorni has said his client denies the accusations.

Hoffman is accused of intimidating and harassing a court probation officer. He is on leave without pay.