A federal choose sentenced a former detective with the Stoneham Police Department to 2 years probation for hiding a collection of evictions and utilizing a member of the family’s credit score report back to get hold of an condo lease.
Robert Kennedy of Stoneham will serve the primary 90 days of the probation in dwelling confinement with digital monitoring. The 54-year-old can even must pay greater than $14,000 in restitution, in line with the Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy’s workplace.
Levy stated the sentencing despatched a “clear message” that nobody is above the legislation.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to hold accountable those who exploit their positions and engage in fraudulent activities that compromise the very principles they are sworn to uphold,” Levy stated in an announcement.
Kennedy lied to and defrauded three landlords from February 2020 by means of June 2023 in an effort to get residences “he had no intention of paying for,” Levy’s workplace stated.
“After moving in, Kennedy would intentionally withhold rent payments, despite making $141,000 – $187,000 a year from the Stoneham Police Department. As a result, Kennedy lived in the apartments rent-free by taking advantage of the slow eviction process,” prosecutors stated.
In the latest case, prosecutors stated Kennedy offered false data through the rental utility course of, together with the date of start and social safety variety of a relative.
“The landlord relied on the information from the fraudulently obtained tenant screening report to approve Kennedy’s rental application and give Kennedy a lease for the apartment. Additionally, Kennedy immediately and intentionally violated the terms of the lease by giving the landlord bad checks for his rent and security deposit and failing to make subsequent rent payments,” prosecutors stated.
Kennedy lived in that condo for 4 months with out making hire funds, Levy’s workplace stated. Prosecutors stated Levy owes the owner roughly $14,000 in overdue hire.
“Former Stoneham Police Department Detective Robert Kennedy broke laws he was sworn to enforce, and in doing so, failed his department, and betrayed the trust of three landlords whom he lied to and defrauded. In no uncertain terms, today’s sentence demonstrates that no one is above the law,” stated Jodi Cohen, particular agent in command of the FBI Boston Division.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”