Hoffman, of Hatfield, is charged with witness intimidation and witness harassment.
WORCESTER – The federal obstruction of justice criminal case against the Hampshire Superior Court’s acting chief probation officer, who told a subordinate being interviewed by the FBI that she was a rat who would end in jail, according to court records, was continued Tuesday until June 26 for a pre-trial conference.
Christopher J. Hoffman, 39, of 112 Main St., Hatfield, is charged with witness intimidation and witness harassment involving threats prosecutors said he made to the subordinate. Hoffman has been the acting chief probation officer at Hampshire Superior Court since 2009. His salary was $73,170 per year.
Records show Hoffman’s Dec. 21 arrest is related to a much larger FBI corruption probe under way and involving alleged fraudulent hiring practices at the state Commissioner of Probation office. He is currently free on $10,000 bond.
Hoffman’s alleged threats occurred at the courthouse when a subordinate, Probation Officer Maureen Adams, informed him she would be missing some work due to the FBI’s interview request, records on file at U.S. District Court show.
Adams’ FBI interview occurred on Oct. 19, and records show the allegations of criminal intimidation and harassment by Hoffman took place just previous to the interview and the following day.
“I will tell everyone that you are a rat; You will be in jail within a week,” the FBI said Adams told them Hoffman said prior to her interview. She has been a probation officer since 2001.
“After the interview you have to come back and tell me everything that they ask you and everything that you said,” Hoffman said to Adams, according to records.
The statements appear in an affidavit of FBI Special Agent Kevin D. Constantine signed the day the federal case was filed against Hoffman on Dec. 19.
“Hoffman obstructed justice by using intimidation and threats towards Adams, with the intent to hinder, delay and prevent her from communicating with the FBI regarding the federal investigation into the alleged fraudulent hiring practices within the Massachusetts Probation Department,” Constantine wrote.
Hoffman was placed on administrative leave Oct. 26. Hoffman also tends bar at the popular Joe’s Café on Market Street in Northampton, a night-spot known for its thin-crust pizza pies.
When Hoffman appeared in U.S. District Court in Worcester Tuesday, he appeared with a shaved head and wearing a dark suit. He stood beside his lawyer, Springfield attorney Vincent A. Bongiorni. Hoffman did not speak to the presiding judge, Judge Timothy Hillman.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Bell, who is prosecuting the case, was present.
Though Bongiorni and Hoffman talked briefly with a reporter following the court appearance, the men declined to comment on the facts presented by the government. Bongiorni said his client is innocent a jury would decide the matter.
