Latest news with #LissaLagasse
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mass. teacher arrested, accused of faking degrees and military history
A Haverhill teacher was arrested Friday morning and charged with faking her undergraduate and advanced degrees and lying about being a veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was indicted by an Essex County grand jury and arraigned in Salem Superior Court Friday afternoon, according to the Essex County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said Lagasse faked her degrees and claimed to be a combat veteran in order to get jobs in the Haverhill, Lowell and Worcester school districts. Lagasse was charged with three counts of pretending to hold degrees, identity fraud, reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of procurement fraud, two counts of stolen valor, six counts of uttering at common law, intimidation of a witness, three counts of larceny in excess of $1,200 and being a common and notorious thief. She pleaded not guilty to all of the charges in court Friday. A judge set bail at $25,000 and required home confinement with GPS monitoring if Lagasse posts bail. She is expected to return to court on Monday, July 28. Red Sox' Alex Cora gives positive Alex Bregman injury update Mass. weather: Weekend could bring flash floods, thunderstorms in some areas Karen Read trial: Key takeaways from week 7 as the retrial begins to wind down Boston Red Sox starter's sore wrist has no structural damage Recall alert: These window air conditioners could cause mold exposure Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Massachusetts teacher accused of lying about college degrees, Purple Heart
A woman who had worked in several Massachusetts school districts is accused of lying about her college degrees and falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient, officials say. Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested Friday morning after an Essex County Grand Jury voted to issue 21 indictments against her for allegedly lying that she had undergraduate and advanced college degrees. She also falsely claimed to be a retired military combat veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, according to the Essex County District Attorney's office. Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta says Lagasse was hired as a science teacher at the high school in September. After an incident involving her service animal, details and inconsistencies involving her background and credentials came under scrutiny. 'The district immediately placed her on administrative leave and conducted a thorough investigation. At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts, with no concerns reported,' Marotta said. 'As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families, and staff. We have no further public comment due to the ongoing police investigation.' Lagasse also taught in Lowell and Worcester, according to the DA's office. The charges Lagasse is facing include three counts of pretending to hold degrees, identity fraud, reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of procurement fraud, two counts of stolen valor, six counts of uttering at common law, intimidation of a witness, three counts of larceny in excess of $1,200, and being a common and notorious thief in violation of Massachusetts law. Lagasse pleaded not guilty to the charges in Salem Superior Court Friday afternoon. Bail was set at $25,000. If she posts bail, she will be ordered to home confinement with GPS monitoring. She is due to return in court on Monday, July 28, the DA's office says. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
