WELLS – A Massachusetts sheriff who was facing an investigation into his use of campaign funds and who was under fire for initially trying to get two pensions died Saturday in a Maine hotel room in an apparent suicide, authorities said.
Police said Middlesex County Sheriff James DiPaola was found dead of a single gunshot wound to the head about 12:30 p.m. at Lafayette Resorts.
A hotel manager found DiPaola, 57, on his bed after cleaning staff discovered the dead bolt was activated and DiPaola failed to check out, police said. The gun believed to be the one DiPaola used was found in the room, and he left a multiple-page note, Wells police said.
The Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office confirmed DiPaola’s death in a statement.
Recently, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office said it was investigating allegations of improper use of campaign funds by DiPaola. In addition, the state ethics commission was investigating whether sheriff’s office employees were raising money for DiPaola’s political committee.
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