Hampden County sheriff arrested outside of casino

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi pleaded not guilty in Worcester District Court on Monday to a charge of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor, according to court documents. 

The court released Cocchi on personal recognizance.

Cocchi was arrested Saturday night at the MGM Casino in Springfield for operating a vehicle while under the influence, according to the attorney general’s office, which has jurisdiction over alleged law violations at casinos in Massachusetts. 

The attorney general’s office did not share details of the arrest.

In a statement shared with Boston.com, Cocchi apologized for “not living up to the high standards I’ve set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population.” 

He continued, “I take complete responsibility for my actions.” 

According to his biography on the sheriff’s office website, Cocchi began his career as a correctional officer with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office and worked his way up the ladder to become elected sheriff in 2017.