Press Release  Former RMV Employee Indicted for Taking Money From Stoughton and Marshfield Inspection Station Owners

Dedham — A former employee of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has been indicted on additional charges in connection with taking money from Stoughton and Marshfield inspection station owners through extortion and larcenous schemes, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Steven J. King, age 47, of Marshfield, was indicted on Tuesday by a Norfolk Grand Jury on charges of Attempted Extortion and Larceny by False Pretenses for taking money from a Stoughton station owner. He will be arraigned in Norfolk Superior Court on May 15. 

In March, King was indicted by a Plymouth Grand Jury on charges of Attempted Extortion (2 counts) for taking money from two Marshfield station owners. He was arraigned on those charges on April 17.

“These additional indictments show the scope of this defendant’s alleged criminal behavior,” AG Healey said. “At least a dozen hardworking business owners were allegedly threatened and extorted by this defendant, who abused his position at the RMV to take their money for his own personal use.”

The AG’s Office began an investigation in February 2014 after the matter was referred by the RMV. From October 2006 to October 2014, King was an RMV field investigator who was assigned to oversee stations that were licensed to do vehicle inspections. His job was to ensure that inspection stations were complying with RMV rules and regulations.

In December 2014, King was initially indicted by a Norfolk Grand Jury on charges of Attempted Extortion (6 counts), Larceny by False Pretenses (8 counts), and Unwarranted Use of Privilege (3 counts) in connection with taking money from inspection station owners in Quincy, Milton, Canton, and Randolph.

Authorities allege that between 2010 and 2013, King took more than $30,000 from 12 inspection station owners using various schemes, one in which he allegedly threatened station owners with violations or with shutting down their inspection machines unless they paid him money. In another alleged scheme, he falsely told station owners that he needed money in exchange for assisting them with the process of applying for an inspection license. 

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Erika Anderson of AG Healey’s Public Integrity Division with assistance from Financial Investigator Jaclyn Morrill, Victim Advocate Amber Anderson and State Police assigned to the Attorney General’s Office. The Massachusetts RMV, which reported this misconduct to the AG’s Office, cooperated fully and provided assistance throughout the investigation.

###