BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A former clerk for Boston Police Department’s District A-1 Detectives Unit was arrested and charged Wednesday in connection with an investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department.
According to U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling's office, 68-year-old Marilyn Golisano was indicted on one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, and six counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. She is expected to appear in federal court in Boston later Wednesday.
The indictment says the investigation revealed that Golisano, who handled the overtime paperwork for her unit, submitted dozens of false and fraudulent overtime slips on which she had forged the signatures of at least three different BPD supervisors.
"During the period of the alleged fraud, Golisano’s overtime compensation from the BPD more than doubled, increasing from just over $15,000 in 2016 to $26,000 in 2017 and to over $33,000 in 2018," Lelling's office said. "This increase occurred despite the fact that Golisano’s duties did not change, her rate of pay did not significantly increase and no significant new overtime hours were approved by her supervisor. "
It is alleged that during several overtime shifts that Golisano claimed to be working in downtown Boston, she was actually miles away from Boston according to her cellphone’s geolocation records.
Golisano is alleged to have stolen $11,094 from BPD in 2017 and $18,090 in 2018.
"Rather than working in service of her community, Ms. Golisano did a disservice to taxpayers and to the reputation of her colleagues in law enforcement," said Lelling. "The vast majority of law enforcement officers serve their communities honorably and with selflessness but, in those instances where public servants cross the line, we will not hesitate to get involved. I applaud the Boston Police Department for their commitment to rooting out corruption, and for their dedication to protecting the City day in and day out."
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
The charging statute for aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)