MSP Payroll Director Arraigned For Misappropriating Thousands

FRAMINGHAM, MA— The head of payroll for the Massachusetts State Police was arraigned on Monday on charges that she misappropriated nearly $24,000 in funds through her position.

Denise Ezekiel, 49, of Holbrook, was arraigned on Monday in Framingham District Court on one count of larceny over $250 in connection with an alleged misappropriation of $23,900 in Massachusetts State Police payroll funds, said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Ezekiel was released on personal recognizance and ordered the defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, any potential witnesses in this case. The next scheduled hearing is June 4.

On Nov. 1, State Police began investigating the misappropriation of Massachusetts State Police payroll funds after a financial discrepancy was discovered during a report query run on Oct. 30, said authorities.

It further revealed that Ezekiel had been receiving unauthorized money to her personal account in the form of travel or training reimbursements. None of these reimbursements had supporting documents. Computer generated payroll records also also showed 29 separate entries for travel/training reimbursements paid to Ezekiel's automatic deposit/personal bank accounts. These payments varied in amounts from $500 to $950 and were allegedly paid to Ezekiel through her department employee account for a total amount of $23,900.

Ezekiel was placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Charges were filed against her on March 6.

Photo via Shutterstock