Press Release  AG Campbell Secures Guilty Plea From Former Methuen Police Chief For Civil Service Law Violations And Perjury

Boston — The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that former Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon today pleaded guilty to 17 charges for repeatedly misusing his position of authority as police chief to undermine the law for his own benefit, including by hiring six part-time intermittent officers to the Methuen Police Department and then unlawfully appointing them to full-time roles. 

On September 18, as a result of charges brought by the AGO, Solomon pleaded guilty in Essex Superior Court to Perjury by Written Affidavit (2 counts), Obtaining Unwarranted Privileges in Violation of the Civil Service Laws (7 counts), Civil Service Law Violations (6 counts), Uttering a Forged Document (1 count) and Procurement Fraud (1 count). As a result of the plea, Solomon was sentenced to 2.5 years in the House of Corrections, 30 days to serve, the balance suspended for 3 years. Solomon will also lose his city pension, license to carry a firearm, private investigator’s license.  

“Massachusetts communities rely on their police chiefs to make the best decisions for the safety and security of residents. Former Chief Solomon broke that trust by misusing his authority to elevate unqualified officers, putting residents’ wellbeing at risk,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am grateful for the partnership of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and City of Methuen in securing this resolution and holding Solomon accountable for his unlawful conduct.” 

 “My office will never tolerate criminal behavior from those entrusted to enforce the law,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. “This plea ensures accountability and offers the citizens of Methuen an opportunity to have their faith in the system restored.” 

“We’re grateful to Attorney General Andrea Campbell for her partnership in insisting on jail time for Joseph Solomon. This was a widespread criminal conspiracy and today represents an important step toward accountability and justice for the citizens of Methuen,” said Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard. 

In 2023, the AGO secured indictments against Solomon for misusing his authority as Police Chief. A joint investigation by the AGO and the Essex District Attorney’s Office revealed that Solomon deployed part-time intermittent officers into full-time positions, even though they were unqualified for those positions, in violation of civil service laws.  

Solomon also attempted to deceive others into believing that one part-time intermittent officer, Sean Fountain, had graduated from a police academy when he had not. Solomon falsely claimed that Fountain was a civil service officer in annual civil service reports mandated by state law. Fountain previously pled guilty to Forgery (1 count), Uttering a Forged Document (1count), Perjury (1 count), Procurement Fraud (1 count), and a Conflict of Interest Law Violation (1 count) and was sentenced to three years of probation. 

This matter was handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Marina Moriarty, Senior Trial Counsel Dean Mazzone, Paralegal Lily Johnson, Victim Witness Advocate Lia Panetta and members of the Massachusetts State Police.    

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