By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Police Department released a report Monday afternoon regarding allegations School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio made against School Committee member Jamie Hayman during a phone conversation on Sept. 11.
During the School Committee’s meeting later that night, DePrizio alleged that Hayman “threatened” her and her children, and said she filed a police report against him. She also alleged that Hayman said he would “ruin my reputation in this town and I should watch my back.”
Police Chief Nick Secatore compiled the report and released it to the Villager on Monday afternoon.
“On Sept. 11, 2024, I was notified by the town administrator that he had spoken to School Committee Chair Kate DePrizio regarding an interaction she had with a fellow member of the committee,” the report states. “He stated she would like to make a report and asked if I could follow up with her. At approximately 2:30 p.m., I spoke to Kate DePrizio by phone regarding the interaction she had with a fellow committee member Jamie Hayman. Both are members of the School Committee. Kate, who is the chair, stated that on advice of (counsel), she was issuing Jamie a letter of reprimand at the meeting later in the evening. She notified Jamie he would be receiving the letter.
“After receiving the reprimand, Jamie and Kate had a discussion at which time Kate reports Jamie told her that he would ruin her and her family,” the report continues. “He was going to sue her personally for her actions and that she was not safe. Jamie swore at Kate and called her a (expletive). Kate believed he was angry and she felt threatened. She thought that even though he expressed his discontent towards her regarding the letter that some of the language he used was pointed and specific, which went beyond expressing discontent towards another member of the committee. She asked that the incident be documented.”
The report states that Secatore received a statement from DePrizio along with the letter that was read during the School Committee’s Sept. 11 meeting via email on Sept. 12.
“Upon review of the statement and information provided by Kate, I do not believe this report rises to the level of a criminal threat,” the report states. “This report has been deemed a civil issue and is closed.”
Secatore stated in the report that that he received a message from Hayman at 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 12.
“I returned the call at 12:30 p.m. and spoke to Jamie regarding an issue he said he had at the previous night’s School Committee meeting,” the report states. “Jamie reported that he received a letter from the School Committee Chair, Kate DePrizio, at around 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2024. She told him she was going to read the letter at the evening’s meeting. Jamie said this letter accused him of seeking special favors for his child that is in the Lynnfield schools. Jamie also said that during the meeting, Kate said that he had threatened her and her family and that she had filed a police report. Jamie denies all of the accusations, but stated he had spoken to Kate regarding the letter. In preparation of their conversation, Jamie bought a recorder, which he used to record his side of the conversation because he did not want to be accused of saying anything that he did not say.”
Secatore stated in the report that he would “document what he had reported and asked him to provide the recording and a statement.”
“I listened to the recording he provided, which is nine minutes and 42 seconds,” the report states. “Throughout the conversation, Jamie states that if his integrity is called into question that he will vigorously defend himself, states he will retain counsel and take legal action against the committee if necessary, take legal action for (libel) and action against Kate personally. I did not hear threats that are of a criminal nature, or Jamie mention her family. Jamie does not call her a (expletive) or mention safety. This report has been deemed a civil issue and is closed.”
