Key facts
- Karen Read filed an 87-page civil lawsuit against the Town of Canton and Massachusetts State Police.
- The lawsuit alleges an 'imbedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot.'
- Hundreds of racist and misogynistic texts from lead investigator Michael Proctor and Sgt. Sean Goode are detailed.
- Read alleges the officers 'framed' her in the investigation into her boyfriend John O'Keefe's death.
- Read was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in connection with John O'Keefe's death.
- Read stated she receives free meals and discounts everywhere following her acquittal.
- Read is still facing a wrongful death lawsuit from John O'Keefe's family.
Karen Read has filed an 87-page civil lawsuit in Bristol Superior Court against the Town of Canton and the Massachusetts State Police, alleging "an imbedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot at the very core of both organizations." The lawsuit details hundreds of 'vile, misogynistic and racist texts' allegedly sent by the case's former lead investigator, ex-Trooper Michael Proctor, and former Canton Police Sgt. Sean Goode. Read, who was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in the death of her boyfriend John O'Keefe, claims these officers 'framed' her. Court documents include messages where Goode allegedly wrote, "[S]he's a jew…so def puts out," and Proctor allegedly referred to Read as a "retarded," "whack job c---," with "no a--." Read's attorneys stated that Proctor and Goode are "emblematic of the failure to responsibly exercise the trust and faith the public puts in these institutions." Goode resigned from the Canton Police Department following an investigation into alleged misconduct, and Proctor was fired from the state police after his text messages were read in Read's first trial. Read stated she relives almost every day the final moments of her Boston cop boyfriend as she fights for justice and to expose police corruption. In her first public interview since her acquittal, Read stated she receives free meals and discounts everywhere and that her parents receive help with groceries. She also mentioned that her professional license has not been restored and she is still working on the case with civil lawyers. Her attorney, Alan Jackson, stated the goal of the lawsuit is to bring to light "institutional corruption that permeates the Massachusetts law enforcement system." Read is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit from O'Keefe's family.