GOV REMAINS TIGHT-LIPPED

Denies any role in probe of son

Gov. Charlie Baker’s office doubled down on its silence about a state police investigation of groping allegations against his son, with a spokeswoman insisting yesterday she can’t talk about the investigation — but denying any interference.

“The governor’s office has never had any involvement in this matter,” said Communications Director Lizzy Guyton.

The Herald confirmed this week that state police interviewed A.J. Baker, witnesses and the accuser after he was taken off a flight last week, then wrote a report before handing the matter to federal authorities. The Boston Globe first reported details of that report after it was unofficially leaked Tuesday. The governor’s 24-year-old son has not been charged with any crimes and Baker has said his son is cooperating with federal authorities.

Guyton declined to say which state police superiors and Baker administration officials were involved in any discussions of the case before the feds took over.

The governor’s office yesterday also again brushed off questions about an initial two-day silence on the June 20 incident, saying the administration responded to media inquiries after someone leaked the report June 22. At that time, the state police denied they had investigated the matter.

Baker’s office referred questions about the investigation and its timeline to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is investigating the case. The feds have jurisdiction because the allegations happened mid-flight. State police were the first law enforcement to look into the case and write a report, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office said is normal procedure for any such incidents at Logan International Airport.

STAFF FILE PHOTOS BY NANCY LANE SILENCE: The communications director for Gov. Charlie Baker has denied involvement in an investigation into allegations that A.J. Baker groped a woman on a JetBlue flight. State police first investigated the incident but denied it later.