Press Release: 2019-03-19

Joint Investigation Leads to Indictments of Former Public Officials on Larceny Charges

BOSTON — A statewide grand jury indicted the two former top officials of the Carver, Marion, Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (“District”) on larceny charges today. The indictments charge the District’s former executive director with stealing more than $610,000 in District funds, and the District’s former board chairman with stealing almost $65,000 in District funds.

The charges were the result of an investigation by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General, the Marion Police Department and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, in cooperation with the towns of Carver, Marion and Wareham.

According to the indictments, the District’s former executive director, Ray Pickles, 85, of Marion, allegedly stole more than $610,000 over the course of six years. Investigators found that Pickles allegedly was the sole signatory on two District bank accounts, from which he wrote checks to himself that he then cashed. 

The indictments also allege that Pickles secretly established an account in the District’s name at two other banks.  Pickles allegedly deposited checks intended for the District into these secret accounts, from which he made payments on his personal credit cards and withdrew cash for personal use. In addition, Pickles allegedly overcharged the District by submitting invoices for services he did not perform. He is also charged with using District funds to pay for fuel for his boat. He faces six counts of larceny.

The investigation also found that Robert Tinkham, 57, of Carver, allegedly received compensation from the District for inspections he did not perform while serving as the chairman of the District’s board.  According to the indictment, the payments came from District accounts to which Pickles had exclusive access and totaled approximately $65,000. He faces one count of larceny and one count of presenting a false claim.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For additional information about the indictment, see the Attorney General’s press release at: Two Former Local Officials Charged in Connection with Stealing $675,000 After Joint Attorney General-Inspector General Investigation.