Chapter 16: Intimidation of a Witness

Attempts to intimidate Joan and other potential witnesses was not limited to Joan’s co-workers at the State Police. O’D even managed to threaten Joan through her sister. This is her statement.

My name is Louise (last name redacted). I started to work for Whitman & Howard in Wellesley on February 6, 1989. My job was supervisor of the print room. I enjoyed my work and wanted to remain at this job.

Sometime shortly after starting work there, I met the Public Relations representative, John (last name redacted). I talked with him once or twice and in our conversations, I mentioned that my sister was a state trooper.

A couple of days later, John came into the print room and said to me, "My best friend Jack says to tell your sister to get her ass back to work and stop wasting taxpayer's money!" I was stunned by this statement and called my sister. She was very angry and said that statement came from Colonel John O'Donovan. She wanted to tell her lawyer, but I was adamant that she not say anything. I was in fear it would jeopardize my job.

Approximately two weeks later, John stopped by the print room and said to me, "So, your boyfriend's younger than you!" Now I was truly frightened as his voice and mannerisms emanated an attitude of "You're being investigated...I know more about you than you think!" I knew that I had not given him any information about my boyfriend, so I was truly frightened. I called my sister immediately. She informed me that the information could only have been obtained through police surveillance or records.

I now felt terrified as my work and personal life had been invaded. He seemed to relish the control he had over me now. From that point on, I felt threatened whenever I saw him. I tried to keep my distance from him as much as I could. I also never mentioned my sister again.

I felt so angry that a representative of the company could use his position to invade my personal life and my feeling of job security.

signed, Louise