Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Staff
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A former Stoneham Police Detective faced a federal wire fraud charge in Boston Federal Court Friday morning, arrested by Stoneham Police and FBI Agents earlier in the day.
In a release, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachel Rollins alleges 53 year-old Robert Kennedy defrauded three landlords. He's accused of putting "false and misleading" information on rental applications to fraudulently obtain three separate apartment leases, and then refusing to pay rent.
When his most recent landlord asked Kennedy to undergo a tenant screening as part of his application, Kennedy allegedly gave the date of birth and social security number of a relative also named 'Robert Kennedy,' because his own information "would likely have shown Kennedy’s history of collections, delinquent payments, defaults and evictions."
Prosecutors say the former officer would live "rent-free by allegedly taking advantage of the slow eviction process" "despite making $141,000 - $187,000 a year" with Stoneham Police.
Stoneham Police Chief James McIntyre and Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan reacted to the arrest in a joint statement, saying Kennedy resigned from the force just over a month ago, on February 23rd, "following notice of an internal investigation into a history of civil claims against him."
They say the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission has been notified, as the matter could impact Kennedy's ability to work as a police officer in the Commonwealth.
No plea was entered in the initial federal court hearing, and a judge ordered Kennedy released on conditions.
If convicted, Kennedy could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
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