BOSTON (AP) – Republican Mitt Romney said Monday he supports a top aide under investigation in two states for impersonating a law enforcement officer, “but this really is now in his hands.”

The former Massachusetts governor, in his first public comments on the case, described Jay Garrity as “a good guy” and cautioned against a rush to judgment.

Before taking a leave of absence last Friday, Garrity was Romney’s “director of operations,” serving as a constant traveling companion, shepherding Romney between appointments and controlling access to him. He held a similar role during Romney’s gubernatorial term.

“I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt on this and I think other people would be wise to do the same thing,” Romney told reporters during a news conference aimed at focusing attention on his second-quarter fundraising efforts. “He’s a good guy and wish him the very best, but this is really now in his hands.”

Garrity is under investigation in Massachusetts after a caller identifying himself as “Trooper Garrity” of the State Police left a lengthy message with a plumbing company, complaining about erratic driving by an employee.

The Boston Globe reported Garrity was linked to a cell phone used to make the call, an allegation Garrity’s attorney has denied.

The district attorney in Boston is investigating the call, which was tape recorded by an answering service used by the plumber. Impersonating an officer is a misdemeanor charge carrying a fine of up to $400 and one year imprisonment.

Garrity is also under investigation in New Hampshire, where he has been accused of telling a New York Times reporter who had been following Romney’s motorcade in New Hampshire last month that he had run the license plate of the reporter’s rental car, and that he should break away from the caravan.

At the time, Romney was riding in the same vehicle as Garrity.

The New Hampshire attorney general’s office is investigating that incident. State law prohibits citizens from accessing the state’s license plate database.

Romney refused to elaborate on the incidents, as well as subsequent revelations that Garrity was driving with a suspended license, citing the ongoing investigation.

Both recent incidents are reminiscent of similar charges Garrity faced in 2004.

He was cited and fined then by Massachusetts officials after a Ford Crown Victoria registered to him was found to have lights, a siren, radios and other law enforcement equipment – including a baton – after it was parked illegally in Boston’s North End.