State Democratic senator J. James Marzilli Jr., facing further allegations, one from an Arlington woman, dropped his reelection bid June 5 and entered McLean Hospital in Belmont for treatment of an undisclosed illness, The Boston Globe reported June 6.

The Globe report quoted longtime supporters of the senator, including Paul Schlichtmand and neighbor Aimee Coolidge, who expressed dismay.

The newspaper quoted Coolidge, chairwoman of the Arlington Democratic Town Committee who has known Marzilli for 15 years: "'What we're all hearing and reading about is so contrary to the Jim Marzilli that everybody knows. Most of us are baffled. It's very hard, for me personally, to wrap my head around this.'"

Earlier, according to a Boston Globe report, police chief Fred Ryan said saying the investigation in Arlington began after a woman came forward June 4 to report "inappropriate and unwanted touching" by Marzilli in a home last year.

After pleading not guilty June 4 in Lowell District Court on five charges stemming from an incident with a woman seated on a bench in the city's downtown area, the newspaper quoted Ryan.

At the arraignment, prosecutor Richard M. Mucci said a second woman in Lowell alleged the senator made unwanted advances. After Marzilli's court appearance, Leone said the senator was also being investigated for "inappropriate touching of a female," in Brighton two years ago.

Marzilli, 50, was arrested 3:45 p.m. June 3 on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior after trying to flee to flee police.

The Globe reported June 4 that Kennedy "told reporters his client 'completely and totally denies' the allegations, which he called ridiculous." Marzilli was released Tuesday on $1,500 cash bail.

Marzilli is seeking reelection to the Senate after winning the seat last December. He served as a state representatives for 17 years before seeking the Senate seat after Robert A. Havern stepped down last August to become a lobbyist.

Opposing him in the September primary are Jack Hurd and Ken Donnelly.