A retired surgeon arrested aboard his luxury yacht last week after a police raid has terminal cancer, his lawyer has claimed – after cops found him partying with an assortment of ‘guns, drugs and prostitutes’ aboard the vessel.
Previously practicing in Colorado, 69-year-old Scott Burke had his 80-foot stormed in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Harbor this past Tuesday – and was hit with a series of charges as a result.
Hit with felonies like possession a firearm without a permit and possession and trafficking Class A and B drugs, he was released on bail to the tune of $200,000 on Thursday, after pleading not guilty to the drug and weapons charges.
A new report out of the tiny New England isle claims that arrangement was only offered after attorney Henry Brennan – who once represented local crime boss Whitey Bulger – went up to bat for his affluent client using a bizarre defense.
The argument, The Nantucket Current reports, saw Brennan claim that Burke has an unspecified type of terminal cancer, now stage 4 and has not much longer to live.
After the claims saw the doctor temporarily released, they were later echoed by a captain who regularly works the harbor – though the account was somewhat dubious, and raised more questions than answers.
Scott Anthony Burke, 69, was released on a $200,000 bail last week after having his luxury yacht raided in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Harbor last week. Hit with felonies like possession a firearm without a permit and possession and trafficking drugs, he has pleaded not guilty
A new report out of the tiny New England isle claims that arrangement was only offered after attorney Henry Brennan – who once represented Whitey Bulger – went up to bat for his affluent client, claiming he has stage 4 cancer and could die in prison if held until his inevitable trial
Previously practicing in Colorado, 69-year-old Scott Burke had his 80-foot stormed in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Harbor this past Tuesday – and was hit with the series of charges as a result. Cops said they found an assortment of ‘guns, drugs and prostitutes’ aboard the vessel
Speaking to Nantucket District Judge James Sullivan on Thursday, Brennan reportedly revealed Burke’s alleged affliction, arguing that given Burke’s lack of a record, the court should opt against holding him for pretrial detention.
‘To have this man potentially spend the rest of his life waiting for a case in jail, to me, would be very, very tragic,’ the lawyer argued, per a Current reporter present for the proceedings.
Aside from that bombshell – which Brennan elected to not elaborate on – Brennan spent much of the hearing describing Burke’s past, particularly alleged acts of philanthropy the Denver doctor had never sought recognition for.
Among the assertions that Brennan aired in an effort to show his client’s humanitarian nature were that he was the second doctor on the ground following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and that he performed over 110 surgeries while there – mostly on children.
He also touted Burke’s bedside manner during his 35 years as a surgeon in The Mile High City, claiming the doctor had personal empathy for his patients – sometimes so intense he would opt against giving surgeries not in the best interest of the patient, even if it would make him a quick buck.
He added how Burke acquired wealth during his years as a medical professional, but would regularly give back to colleges and scholarships – ‘not asking for a plaque, not asking for an article… [but] because his property as he sees it is on loan, not his.’
After the arguments proved successful in setting Burke free – albeit, temporarily – Brennan told the Current that Burke will return to Florida, where his wife and two kids live at a sprawling property in Key Largo.
Aside from that bombshell – which Brennan elected to not elaborate on – Brennan spent much of the hearing describing Burke’s past, particularly alleged acts of philanthropy the Denver doctor had never sought recognition for.
Among the assertions the lawyer aired to tout his client’s humanitarian nature were that he was he traveled to Haiti following the infamous 2010 earthquake, and that he performed over 110 surgeries while there. The doctor is seen smiling at reporters during the hearing
Judge James Sullivan is seen setting bail for the surgeon on Thursday following Brennan’s arguments
The Coast Guard and Nantucket Police launched a probe after a woman was taken from the vessel, called the Jess Conn, after a ‘wellness check’
Law enforcement sources confirmed that other contraband was found alongside the guns, drugs and prostitutes, but did not go into further details
Authorities boarded the boat in the harbor of the ritzy Massachusetts island, with the 80-ft motor yacht being registered in the Cayman Islands
After the arguments proved successful in setting Burke free, his lawyer said his client will return to Florida, where his wife and two kids live at a sprawling property in Key Largo
The Key Largo hideaway features a marine, three ‘championship’ golf courses and its own private airport with security said to be so tight at the that even visitors are fingerprinted
As for the captain who addresses those claims, but asked to remain anonymous while speaking to The New York Post, has he recently had given a ride to two people delivering ‘cancer medication’ to Burke’s boat, the Jess Conn, the day after the doctor was cuffed.
‘I took out somebody who claimed to be a friend of the owner. He claimed to be bringing somebody – and I now know it’s the owner – his cancer medication to him,’ said the captain, who added he people he gave a ride to then appeared to return with ‘more stuff than they went out with.’
Earlier in the week, Burke was charged with possessing a firearm without a permit, having ammunition, as well as possession and trafficking of Class A and B drugs.
In court documents obtained by the Current, investigators, including a DEA special agent, boarded and searched the Jess Conn at 3:25pm, following ‘report of a female party, on board a yacht, who did not want to be there, was under the influence of narcotics, and possibly has overdosed.’
They went on to confiscate 43.4 grams of cocaine, 14.1 grams of ketamine, and two pistols – a .380 Smith Wesson Shield and a 9mm Smith & Wesson – along with various ammunition, and found several woman said to be prostitutes by sources who spoke to the Current.
Burke, seen here in his LinkedIn photo, has a hearing in Nantucket scheduled for October. He is allowed to remain in Florida until then
That said, no charges alleging prostitution have been filed, and there was no mention of such activity in the Nantucket Police Department’s reports with the incident.
Prosecutors also did not mention prostitution over the course of the hearing.
‘Anybody who is an anonymous source can say anything they want,’ Brennan told the Current.
‘Even the government never alleged prostitution or sex trafficking…You didn’t hear a whisper of any type of that behavior. I find it disgusting, morally offensive, and it’s slandering a good person.’
After police cuffed him, Burke allegedly confessed to owning the guns, and he told the officers where other weapons aboard the vessel were stores.
In their report, law enforcement officers wrote: ‘Scott Burke does not possess a valid [license to carry] or [firearm identification] card.’
Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com also appear to show the man spending the holiday season with his wife Ellen, 65, and two children, Jessica and Connor aboard a similar boat in 2017 – also called the Jess Conn.
Burke, was arraigned on Wednesday in Nantucket District Court in connection with the incident after authorities boarded Tuesday morning following a call about a woman who had possibly overdosed and wanted to leave the vessel.
Burke also claimed he has licenses for the guns but authorities said it had been issued outside Florida and expired last year.
In a statement, Nantucket Police confirmed that the woman was taken to Nantucket Cottage Hospital after reports that she needed ‘medical assistance’ on Tuesday at 7.45am.
They added: ‘As a result of this information, the boat was identified and located within the Nantucket Harbor Anchorage.
‘Authorities responded to the boat and located the involved woman and identified the owner who was also onboard.
‘The owner of the boat was arrested by Nantucket Police Department for one count of Possession of a Firearm without a license. This case remains under investigation at this time.’
Burke, who also owns a $2.3million mansion in Englewood, Colorado, appears to have named the vessel after his children.
The retired doctor, who set up a medical insurance company where both his kids work, appears to have owned several other crafts. Pictured: Scott Burke (right) and wife Ellen
He set up a medical insurance company where both his children work, and appears to have owned several other crafts.
He is also the manager of JessConn Charters – based in Florida – though it is unclear how much or if he was charging customers to travel on a vessel used in that venture.
It recently ran aground in Florida in May, but appears to have escaped without significant damage in the incident.
Coast Guard Station Brant Point’s executive petty officer Jeff Wecal confirmed that his crew is assisting the Nantucket Police Department in its investigation.
The boat was designed by Jeff Leishman, and boasts four decks of over 24 meters each.
It has three large guest cabins, an owner’s cabin, a laundry room, as well as a main saloon and formal dining room.
The yacht also has a hot tub on board, and can house up to eight guests as well as accommodation for two crew members. It was registered in the Cayman Islands.
According to public records, Burke has a hearing in Nantucket scheduled for October. He is allowed to remain in Florida until then.
