Haverhill instructor arraigned on fees of faking credentials, stolen valor

A Haverhill teacher is accused of lying about her credentials and falsely claiming to have earned a Purple Heart, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office.

Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested and arraigned in Essex Superior Court in Salem on Friday after a grand jury issued 21 indictments against her. The charges stem from allegations that, for several years, Lagasse lied about having undergraduate and advanced college degrees and being a retired military combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. 

Prosecutors said Lagasse allegedly made the fake claims to get jobs at school districts in Lowell, Worcester, and most recently, Haverhill, where she’s worked as a high school science teacher since September. 

Lagasse was charged with three counts of pretending to hold degrees, identity fraud, reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of procurement fraud, two counts of stolen valor, six counts of uttering at common law, intimidation of a witness, three counts of larceny in excess of $1,200, and being a common and notorious thief in violation of Massachusetts law, according to Tucker’s office.

Lagasse pleaded not guilty to all charges and was ordered held on $25,000. If bail is posted, she will be limited to home confinement with GPS monitoring. Lagasse is due back in court for a hearing on July 28.

Haverhill school officials told Boston 25 that inconsistencies about Lagasse’s credentials and background came to light following an incident involving her service animal.

“The district immediately placed her on administrative leave and conducted a thorough investigation. At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts, with no concerns reported,” Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta told Boston 25. “As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families, and staff. We have no further public comment due to the ongoing police investigation.”

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.