Waltham Man Sentenced in Unemployment Case

A Waltham man has been sentenced to six months probation after he admitted he failed to pay tens of thousands dollars into the state’s unemployment assistance fund, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. 

John Capello, 42, who owns Newton-based Ieraci Landscaping, admitted to facts sufficient to charges for non-payment of employer contributions (16 counts), according to the AG’s office. Judge Frances McIntyre sentenced Capello to probation and required him to pay restitution for $105,000 Capello failed to contribute to the fund. Capello has repaid the money and satisfied the terms of his probation.

The fund provides temporary income assistance to unemployed Massachusetts residents. Private employers are required to contribute to the fund.

Capello admitted to the charges on Jan. 12, 2013

From 2006 through December 2011, Capello and his firm failed to contribute to the fund, according to the AG's office. As a result, a Suffolk County grand jury indicted Capello on March 26, 2012 on charges that he did not pay into the fund. Capello pleaded not guilty on April 24, 2012 and a not guilty plea was entered on his behlf for his firm on June 6, 2012.