Kevin M. Kennedy, Embezzlement and Tax Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

Golf Pro Charged with Embezzlement and Tax Fraud

A local golf professional has been charged with embezzlement and tax fraud in a federal grand jury indictment. Kevin M. Kennedy, a Massachusetts resident, allegedly embezzled greens fees and cart fees from the City of Springfield's two public golf courses, Franconia Golf Course and Veterans Memorial Golf Course.

According to the indictment, Kennedy provided fraudulent records to the City that underreported the golf courses' daily activity and revenues. He allegedly used the stolen funds for personal expenditures, including building homes in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and West Dennis, Massachusetts, and failed to report the income on his 2010 through 2014 tax returns.

The indictment also charges Kennedy with conspiring with Kent Pecoy, the owner of Kent Pecoy and Sons Construction Inc. (KPSC), and his son, Jason Pecoy, a KPSC project manager, to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service and the collection of taxes. Kennedy allegedly paid the Pecoys in cash and the Pecoys failed to deposit most of the cash into business bank accounts, but rather distributed the cash directly to vendors and subcontractors.

Kevin M. Kennedy, the owner and operator of Kennedy Golf Management Inc. (KGM), has been charged with numerous crimes, including theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, wire fraud, money laundering-related crimes, and filing false tax returns. If convicted, Kennedy faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and money laundering, ten years in prison for each count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds and for engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specific unlawful activities, five years in prison for conspiracy, and three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steve Breslow from the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Christopher O'Donnell of the Tax Division. The investigation was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. Individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Kevin M. Kennedy, a Massachusetts resident, owned and operated Kennedy Golf Management Inc. (KGM), which managed the City of Springfield's two public golf courses. If convicted, Kennedy also faces a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Additional information about the Tax Division's enforcement efforts can be found on the division's website.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/owner-golf-management-company-charged-embezzlement-city-funds-and-tax-fraud