Biography
Joe DeNucci of Newton has been Auditor of the Commonwealth since 1987. As State Auditor, he has protected and enhanced the financial resources of the Commonwealth and has made state government more accountable and more responsive to the public. His audits have identified billions of dollars in cost saving and revenue enhancement opportunities, unallowable and unnecessary expenditures, and uncollected revenue. Auditor DeNucci's primary responsibility is to make sure that public funds are spent legally, wisely, and for the purposes intended.
Before being elected State Auditor, Joe DeNucci served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 10 years. For six years, he was House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs, where he earned a reputation for compassion and concern for the young, the old and those most in need of services from government. His accomplishments included laws to fight child abuse and neglect, establishing a foster care review system, providing better nutrition for children, fighting homelessness and preventing abuse of the elderly.
Auditor DeNucci currently serves as chairman of the State Inspector General's Council, as chairman of the Municipal Finance Oversight Board, as vice-chairman of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, a member of the Comptroller's Advisory Board and as a member of the Teacher's Retirement Board, the School Building Authority Advisory Board, the County Government Finance Review Board, the Witness Protection Board, and the Health Care Quality and Cost Council.
Prior to his election, Joe DeNucci was a well known professional boxer. In 1956, while a 16-year-old high school junior, he was a Golden Gloves champion. The following year, as a senior in high school, he began his professional boxing career. Throughout his career, he was ranked among the world's top middleweights. At the closing ceremonies of the old Boston Garden, it was announced that Joe DeNucci had the most bouts in the history of that storied building. In recognition of his outstanding boxing career, Joe DeNucci was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago in May 2004.
Joe and his wife Barbara have five children and 14 grandchildren.