Retired Boston Police Captain Charged In OT Fraud Investigation

BOSTON — A retired Boston Police captain was arrested Tuesday as part of a federal investigation into an overtime fraud scheme at the department's evidence warehouse.

Richard Evans, 62, of Hanover, is accused as being part of a group of officers who skipped out hours early on overtime shifts for the Evidence Control Unit he oversaw. Officers can make 1.5 times their pay in overtime working the unit.

The Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's office said that between March 2015 and February 2019, Evans was paid $12,395 in overtime hours he didn't work, while he endorsed dozens of fraudulent overtime slips for other officers. Shifts were often left up to two hours early, prosecutors said.

Back in September, nine current and former officers were arrested in the alleged scheme. They are accused of bilking taxpayers out of more than $200,000.

"The public counts on police supervisors to lead by example and serve as models of honor, integrity and professionalism," said acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Mendell in a statement. "When they break the law for personal financial gain with the officers they supervise, they not only violate the trust of the public, but they dishonor their fellow officers."

Evans was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud.

“It is deeply troubling when officers who have sworn to uphold the law violate their oath and use their badge as a license to commit a crime," said FBI Boston's Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta.