Boston PD Officers Face $200K Overtime Fraud Charges

Boston – Nine current and former Boston Police Officers were arrested today in a stunning turn of events. The officers, including Lieutenant Timothy Torigian, 54, of Walpole, are charged with committing over $200,000 in overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse.

According to authorities, the indicted officers—Sergeant Gerard O’Brien (retired), 62, of Braintree; Sergeant Robert Twitchell (retired), 58, of Norton; Officer Henry Doherty (retired), 61, of Dorchester; Officer Diana Lopez (retired), 58, of Milton; Officer James Carnes (retired), 57, of Canton; Officer Michael Murphy, 60, of Hyde Park; Officer Ronald Nelson (retired), 60, of Jamaica Plain; and Officer Kendra Conway, 49, of Boston—are accused of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling emphasized the gravity of the allegations, stating, ‘These officers are charged with stealing taxpayer money, year after year, through fraud. This kind of official misconduct also erodes trust in public institutions at a time when that trust is most needed.’

FBI Boston Division’s Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta echoed these sentiments, pointing out the anomaly represented by the accused officers and commending the BPD for their cooperation in ending this systemic practice.

The investigation was initiated following information uncovered by the Boston Police Department’s Anti-Corruption Unit regarding alleged payroll/overtime abuse. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is committed to fully investigating all allegations concerning violations of public trust, as stated by Special Agent in Charge Guido Modano.

Commissioner William Gross expressed his disappointment and emphasized the high standards expected from BPD officers, saying, ‘The allegations and behavior alleged in today’s indictments are very troubling. This type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored and can damage the trust my officers have worked so hard to build with the communities we serve.’

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