Canton Police Det. Kevin Albert put on leave

A Canton police detective whose family is central to the conspiracy theories surrounding the Karen Read case has been placed on leave in light of testimony in Read’s high-profile murder trial.

Kevin Albert remains on paid administrative leave “while an outside independent investigation is being conducted relative to his actions in a case he investigated with [Massachusetts State Police Trooper] Michael Proctor approximately two years ago,” Canton Select Board Chair Michael C. Loughran announced at the board’s meeting Tuesday. 

Albert “will remain on leave until the results of the investigation are provided by the outside independent investigator,” Loughran said. 

In an email to Boston.com, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty confirmed the investigation stems from Proctor’s testimony during Read’s trial. Albert was placed on leave June 13 — the same week Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, took the stand. 

Prosecutors allege that Read drunkenly and intentionally backed her SUV into her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, while dropping him off at a house party hosted by Brian Albert, a former Boston officer and Kevin Albert’s brother. 

Read’s lawyers, however, maintain the Mansfield woman was framed in a vast conspiracy involving Brian Albert and several of his friends and family members. They’ve suggested O’Keefe was brutally beaten inside Albert’s home on Jan. 29, 2022. 

Proctor testified that he reached out to Kevin Albert to coordinate witness interviews, despite knowing the Canton Police Department had recused itself from the investigation in light of Brian Albert’s involvement. Proctor also told the court he and Kevin Albert went out drinking and “had a few beers” while working on a separate cold case together in July 2022.

“In fact, the two of you got so drunk that Kevin Albert left his badge in your cruiser and couldn’t find his gun the next morning, right?” defense attorney Alan Jackson asked. 

While Proctor said he didn’t recall their level of intoxication, he acknowledged he found Albert’s badge in his cruiser the next day and sent him a text. He confirmed Albert replied, “Did I take my gun?” followed by a wincing face emoji. 

Proctor, who also admitted to sending vulgar texts about Read, has been relieved of duty and suspended without pay. A State Police internal affairs investigation into Proctor’s conduct is ongoing. 

Attendees at Tuesday night’s Canton Select Board meeting also heard from another Albert brother, board member Chris Albert.

Last month, two people were charged with assault following a heated altercation with Turtleboy blogger Aidan Kearney outside Albert’s restaurant, D & E Pizza & Subs. Kearney has written extensively about Read’s trial and is facing charges for allegedly intimidating witnesses in the case, including members of the Albert family. Chris Albert was not charged in last month’s incident.

“As many of you know, I’ve had two recent verbal altercations with members of the public outside of my role as a Select Board [member],” he said Tuesday. “Despite the tremendous harassment, stress, and anxiety that my family, extended family, and I have been subjected to over the past 16 months, my interactions were inappropriate, and as an elected official, I am held to a higher standard and I understand that the residents of Canton expect public officials to always conduct themselves professionally and focus on the business of the town.”

He apologized for his reaction, adding that he will “refrain from any further public incidents that are unbecoming as a member of the Canton Select Board.”