Pubdate: Tue, 18 Feb 2014
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2014 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Authors: Laurel J. Sweet and John Zaremba

BPD IN DARK ON VET COP'S POT SHOP PLAN

A Boston police sergeant - who earned a whopping $209,800 in pay last 
year and was once a drug cop - is listed as the chief safety and 
transportation officer on an application for a controversial Roxbury 
medical pot shop that has ties to a convicted drug dealer.

It's a planned job both his superiors and Mayor Martin J. Walsh told 
the Herald they knew nothing about.

Sgt. Martin B. Kraft, a 31year veteran of the force and former Drug 
Control Unit detective, is listed as being "responsible for the 
safety, security and transportation of products for the 
organization," according to Green Heart Holistic Health & 
Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s application before the state Department of 
Public Health.

Kraft, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who turns 60 next week, is 
tasked with implementing "safe storage of inventory" by Aug. 31 in 
anticipation of a Sept. 8 grand opening on Southampton Street, the 
application states.

"I plan to retire, but beyond that I'm not going to comment," Kraft 
told the Herald yesterday when asked about the move.

Green Heart's filings state Kraft will report to one person - CEO 
Andrew DeAngelo of Oakland, Calif. DeAngelo's brother Stephen 
DeAngelo, the Herald reported last week, pleaded guilty in 2001 to 
marijuana possession with intent to distribute, and will serve as the 
pot dispensary's "strategic adviser."

Kraft's eye-popping gross pay has held steady in the past three 
years. Payroll records show he made:  $209,800 in 2013;  $226,000 in 
2012; and  $210,400 in 2011. His potential future post boasts its own 
perks, including overtime, merit-based bonuses and an 
employer-matched 401(k) plan, according to application records.

The application informs state officials Green Heart employees stand 
to earn between $15 an hour for entry-level posts, up to $72,800 for 
managers. The operation anticipates making a $3.2 million profit in 
its first year of business.

Walsh, who has not been shy about expressing his opposition to the 
retail sale of medical marijuana, already was planning to pepper the 
Department of Public Health tomorrow about Stephen DeAngelo's 
involvement with Green Heart and its application review process in 
general when he learned about Kraft from the Herald. The mayor 
declined comment, but privately, aides raised concerns.

Sgt. Michael McCarthy, a spokesman for police Commissioner William 
Evans, said in a statement, "The BPD was not aware Sgt. Kraft is 
listed as the security officer for Green Heart" on the application.

McCarthy continued, "As per department rules, no active duty officers 
are permitted to be employed as security officers for any 
company/business. If he chooses to be employed in that capacity when 
they open their doors he must resign/retire from the department."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom