White Powder In Suspicious Letter Sent To Moulton's Office Tested For Toxicity

SALEM, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said testing of a suspicious letter sent to his office on Friday — causing a police response and partial shutdown of downtown Salem during the busy Halloween tourist season — "did not identify any substances of concern."

Moulton's office released a photo of the letter — addressed only to "Seth Moulton" — that contained a white, powdery substance. Similar letters were sent to several other state officials and members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and Secretary of State Bill Galvin.

• 'Powdery Substance' Delivered To Moulton's Downtown Salem Office: Police

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"Out of an abundance of caution, using the guidance given by the House Sergeant at Arms in response to the nationwide reports and investigation, Congressman Moulton's staff did not open the letter and instead immediately reported the letter to the Salem Police Department and the US Capitol Police," Moulton's office said on Monday. "The FBI was subsequently notified."

Moulton said that Salem police and FBI agents examined the letter, found the substance, removed the letter from the property and had it tested.

"Subsequent testing did not identify any substances of concern," the office said.

Residents and Halloween tourists were advised to stay clear of the downtown area near Front Street for about an hour midday on Friday.

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