Massachusetts City Official Allegedly Used Taxpayer Money for Steak, Self-Portrait, and Car
A former city official allegedly swiped taxpayer money for everything from bourbon steak tips to a Toyota Prius—now he faces federal charges. 🌐 #News #NorfolkCountyMA #Massachusetts #Crime
NORFOLK COUNTY, MA – A former Massachusetts city official is facing serious charges after allegedly embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from city funds for personal indulgences—ranging from a luxury car to steak and even a custom-framed self-portrait. Thomas F. Clasby, Jr., 60, the former Director of the Quincy Department of Elder Services, is accused of misusing his position to fund a lavish lifestyle at taxpayers’ expense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced his arrest and indictment Wednesday, marking the latest chapter in a scheme that spanned years.
The Allegations Against Thomas F. Clasby
Clasby, who held his post at the Quincy Department of Elder Services for more than two decades, allegedly began diverting city funds in 2019. According to the indictment, he used the city’s purchasing process to acquire personal items and funnel cash to himself. The charges include embezzlement, mail and wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
The list of items Clasby allegedly purchased using taxpayer money is bizarre and extravagant. Among the most notable were $8,950 for a music recording session, $2,236 for 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips, $4,800 for a Toyota Prius, and $1,658 for a custom, lacquered self-portrait. These personal expenses were funded using money meant to support the elderly community.
The Scheme and How It Unfolded
Clasby didn’t just use city funds for direct purchases—he is accused of a more elaborate scheme involving a consulting company run by a friend.
The city allegedly paid more than $38,000 to a New York consulting firm, though no services were ever rendered. Instead, Clasby’s friend reportedly cashed the checks and delivered the money to Clasby at various meeting spots, including a rest stop in Framingham, Massachusetts, a ferry terminal in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and at his apartment in New York.
This alleged scheme spanned multiple years, with Clasby using his position to exploit the city’s trust, turning funds that were intended to support the elderly into his personal slush fund.
Reactions from Law Enforcement and What’s Next for Clasby
The arrest has drawn strong reactions from law enforcement officials.
U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy condemned Clasby’s actions, stating, “Thomas Clasby’s alleged betrayal of trust is not just a theft from the City of Quincy but an affront to the seniors he was sworn to serve and the taxpayers who funded these programs.”
Levy added that Clasby’s actions “betrayed vulnerable members of his community” by using public funds to support personal luxuries.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen also expressed outrage at the allegations, calling the theft “utterly disgraceful.”
She stated, “Today, the FBI arrested Thomas Clasby for allegedly padding his paycheck in a big way, using tens of thousands of dollars belonging to the city’s coffers as his own personal slush fund.”
If convicted, Clasby faces serious penalties. The embezzlement charge alone could result in up to 10 years in prison, with additional penalties for mail fraud, wire fraud, and the transportation of stolen property. Each of those charges carries the potential for up to 20 years in prison, alongside hefty fines. We’re just waiting to hear his fire mixtape.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Massachusetts
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