Federal prosecutors say a longtime Massachusetts government official stole taxpayer money meant for the elderly and used the ill-gotten funds to record at his music studio, buy tons of bourbon steak chips and buy himself It is suspected that the painting was used for an ornate lacquered portrait depicting Pluy.
Thomas Clasby, the former director of the City of Quincy's Department of Aging Services, has been indicted on embezzlement and other charges for allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars in public funds into a “personal slush fund” over a five-year period, authorities announced. Wednesday.
Clasby, 60, of Fitchburg, has been accused of using the city's purchasing system to make extravagant payments for himself since 2019, about 20 years after he started working as a senior services director. Federal authorities have announced that.
Approximately $8,950 went to a music studio to produce recordings of his songs, plus a 153-pound bourbon steak chip for $2,236, a Toyota Prius for $4,800, and a framed lacquered car for $1,658. Clasby's portrait was paid for with taxpayer money, prosecutors announced. Said.
He quit his job as director of senior services in a Boston suburb after being suspended last April and fired the following month. Patriot News reported.
“Thomas Clasby's alleged breach of trust is not only a theft from the City of Quincy, but an insult to the seniors he swore to serve and the taxpayers who funded these programs.” State District Attorney Joshua Levy said. said in a statement.
“As director of senior services, Mr. Clasby was tasked with protecting the vulnerable members of his community. Instead, he used his position to fund personal luxuries. It is said that
Mr. Clasby is also accused of conspiring to have the Quincy government pay more than $38,000 to a New York consulting firm run by a friend, even though the company never provided services to Quincy. has been accused.
The friend instead cashed city checks and deposited the cash with Clasby at a rest stop in Framingham, Mass., and a ferry terminal in Bridgeport, Conn., the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
“It is absolutely disgraceful to steal funds from programs established to help seniors,” Jodi Cohen, FBI agent in charge in Boston, said in a statement.
“Today, the FBI arrested Thomas Clasby on suspicion of using tens of thousands of dollars in city coffers as a personal slush fund and dramatically inflating his paychecks.”
He is charged with embezzlement, mail and wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
The former city employee pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday afternoon. NBC10 Boston reported.
“I have nothing to say today,” he told reporters as he walked past them. According to footage from 7 News reporter.
If convicted on all charges, Clasby could spend decades in prison.
