News  Former Accountant for Three Massachusetts Towns Indicted for Stealing $729,000

A statewide grand jury indicted the former accountant for three towns for allegedly embezzling more than $729,000.

Between December 2012 and June 2018, Justin Cole allegedly stole more than $729,000 from the towns of Uxbridge, Monterey and Millville. Mr. Cole was indicted on five counts of larceny over $250, two counts of larceny over $1,200, four counts of presentation of false claims, four counts of unwarranted privilege by a municipal employee and one count of financial interest by a municipal employee.  The charges resulted from a joint investigation by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Mr. Cole worked as Town Accountant for the town of Uxbridge, and he provided contracted accounting services to the towns of Millville and Monterey through his company, Baystate Municipal Accounting Group.  According to the allegations in the indictment, Mr. Cole diverted the towns’ funds to other companies that he operated by submitting fake invoices for services that were never provided. Mr. Cole also used town funds to pay office rent and purchase software for his private businesses. The indictment alleges Mr. Cole stole $657,335 from Uxbridge, $24,597 from Monterey, and $47,600 from Millville.

Mr. Cole is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For additional information about the indictment, see the Attorney General’s press release at: Former Uxbridge Town Accountant Indicted for Allegedly Stealing More than $729,000 from Multiple Municipalities