Romney Aide Accused of Cop Impersonation

A longtime aide to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney left the campaign Friday amid allegations the aide impersonated a state trooper.

The Romney campaign announced that Jay Garrity would take a leave of absence, the Boston Globe said.

The Globe reported Friday that in May a Massachusetts drain cleaning company received a call, which was recorded, from a man who identified himself as Trooper Garrity of the Massachusetts State Police. The man said he saw a company van being driven too fast and cutting off other drivers in Boston.

Garrity has had similar trouble in the past, the Globe said. Three years ago, while Romney was governor of Massachusetts, Garrity received a citation for carrying police equipment, including flashing lights, in his car.

In New Hampshire, the state attorney general is investigating a New York Times reporter’s story that, while he was following Romney’s car, Garrity told him he had run his license plate number.

Wayne Barme, owner of Wayne’s Drains Middlesex Sewer, said that Trooper Garrity said he was going to come to the office and give the driver a ticket. Barme’s wife, Dot, decided to check with state police.

The whole thing was just hinky, Barme told the Globe.