No charges over official's comments

An investigation into “inappropriate comments” allegedly made by a member of the town Budget Committee during his February arrest on driving violations has concluded without any charges being filed, a state law enforcement official said Wednesday.

Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said investigators found no basis or probable cause to bring charges against Stephen Hellwig, 38, of 6 Meadow Drive, for comments that Hudson police said he made while being booked on charges of speeding and driving without a license.

Police Chief Jason Lavoie said at the time that he asked the attorney general’s office to investigate after Hellwig allegedly made comments “that could negatively affect the Hudson Police Department” while at police headquarters.

The matter was first presented to the Hillsborough County attorney’s office, but then was handed to the attorney general’s office because it investigates alleged wrongdoings of public officials, Young said at the time.

Young declined Wednesday to elaborate on the nature of Hellwig’s alleged comments, saying only that they were made “in front of more than one individual while (Hellwig) was at the Hudson Police Department.”

Hellwig, a former state representative, was taken into custody the morning of Feb. 7 after a police officer who stopped him for speeding learned he was wanted for a previous charge of driving without a valid license.

Lavoie originally said officers learned that Hellwig was a member of the Budget Committee while he was being booked for the driving violations.

After being issued summonses for two violations, Hellwig was released on bail roughly two hours after his arrest.