John R. Buonomo, the former Middlesex County Register of Probate, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years for operating two separate schemes in which he stole thousands in taxpayer money and more than $100,000 in campaign funds, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced Wednesday.
Buonomo, 57, of Newton, pleaded guilty Oct. 15 in Woburn Superior Court to charges brought in separate cases by the Attorney General’s Office and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
The guilty charges of theft of public monies were breaking and entering into a depository with intent to commit a larceny (18 counts), theft of public property by a city/town/county officer (8 counts), and larceny under $250 (8 counts). He also pleaded guilty to theft of campaign funds: larceny over $250 (2 counts), personal Use of campaign funds (2 counts), and willfully Misleading Investigators.
He also incurred fines and will serves 10 years of probation.
“John Buonomo blatantly violated the trust bestowed in him by the people of the Commonwealth by committing these thefts of public monies. By pleading guilty and receiving his sentence today, he is now held fully accountable for his brazen crimes,” said District Attorney Leone, in a statement. “I want to thank the Secretary of State's Office, the Registry of Deeds, the Trial Court, and the Chief Justice for Administration and Management for their cooperation during this investigation. I also want to commend the members of our PACT Unit for their comprehensive investigation, including the installation of surveillance cameras to capture the crimes committed on tape, which built the irrefutable proof that led to both of these cases and these pleas of guilt regarding the theft of public monies."
“The fraud committed in this case was a serious violation of the public’s trust and we are pleased that Mr. Buonomo was held accountable for his actions. Particularly during such difficult economic times, the theft of public monies will not be tolerated," Attorney General Coakley said. “Our office would like to thank the Massachusetts State Police and the Office of Campaign and Political Finance for the tremendous amount of hard work and resources both dedicated to this case.”
Buonomo engaged in two separate schemes that resulted in the theft of public monies and campaign funds. An outline of both schemes follows:
