Press Release  Former Amesbury Firefighter Arraigned on Larceny Charge

Amesbury, Massachusetts — A former Lieutenant with the Amesbury Fire Department was arraigned today in Salem Superior Court on a larceny charge in connection with an overtime fraud scheme.

 Scott Cloutier, a former Amesbury firefighter with over 22 years of service, pleaded not guilty to larceny over $250 and false claim to a government agency.  He is alleged to have stolen approximately $30,000 between January 1, 2016 and May 1, 2018 by claiming overtime for shifts he did not work. 

 Judge Salim Tabit released him on his own recognizance.  He will return to court on March 12, 2019 for a pre-trial hearing.

 The allegations of alleged overtime fraud were brought to the attention of the Essex District Attorney’s Office in May.  After a thorough investigation, Essex Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Nasson initiated a Grand Jury presentment in November.  The Grand Jury retuned the indictment of Cloutier on December 20, 2019.  The investigation into allegations of overtime fraud against another member of the department are still ongoing.

 Mr. Cloutier is represented by Attorney Patrick Donovan and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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