Former Boston Police Clerk From Malden Accused Of Overtime Fraud

BOSTON, MA — A former clerk for the Boston Police Department faces federal charges after being accused in an overtime fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Marilyn Golisano, 68, is accused of submitting dozens of false and fraudulent overtime slips, more than doubling her pay over two years while her duties and hours remained the same.

Golisano, whose arrest warrant identifies her as a Malden resident, was indicted on one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Federal authorities say Golisano was responsible for the overtime paperwork for the District A-1 Detectives Unit. From 2016-2018, she submitted dozens of false and fraudulent overtime slips on which she had forged the signatures of at least three different police supervisors, the USAO said.

During this period, her overtime pay rose from $15,000 in 2016 to $26,000 in 2017 and to more than $33,000 in 2018, according to the indictment. However, Golisano's duties did not change, her rate of pay did not significantly increase and no significant new overtime hours were approved by her supervisor, the USAO said.

Golisano is accused of stealing $11,094 from the Boston Police Department in 2017 and $18,090 in 2018. Her lawyer told The Boston Globe she served the department "diligently and faithfully" for 35 years.

"She will defend herself against these accusations successfully," Kevin Barron wrote in an email to the Globe.

Golisano faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the embezzlement charge and up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud.

"Rather than working in service of her community, Ms. Golisano did a disservice to taxpayers and to the reputation of her colleagues in law enforcement," U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement. "The vast majority of law enforcement officers serve their communities honorably and with selflessness but, in those instances where public servants cross the line, we will not hesitate to get involved. I applaud the Boston Police Department for their commitment to rooting out corruption, and for their dedication to protecting the city day in and day out."