Coin corruption

By adamg - 8/6/08 - 8:24 pm

The Globe reports that John Buonomo, Middlesex County registrar of probate, was arrested for stealing money from county copiers and change machines at the Registry of Deeds.

Why are registrars of probate still elected officials again? What great policy decisions are they expected to make? Apparently, whether to bring those coins to the bank or dump them all into a CoinStar machine.

NECN report featuring surveillance video allegedly showing Buonomo taking money from a copier:

Buonomo's official Web site. He is up for re-election this fall, but faces no opposition.

Innocent, etc.

Comments

Background on John Buonomo

By Ron Newman - 8/6/08 - 10:53 pm

He was a longtime member of the Somerville Board of Alderman, as well as a two-time candidate for Mayor, losing close elections to Mike Capuano in 1989 and to Dorothy Kelly Gay in 1999.. At one time, he was considered part of the 'progressive' wing of Somerville politics. Here's his official biography.

I'm guessing that "cash machines" refers to change machines rather than ATMs, but I don't know for sure. Changers are often found near copiers, and it's likely the same key opened both. It's much less likely that he could open and steal from a bank ATM.

Cash machines

By adamg - 8/6/08 - 10:56 pm

Yeah, you're probably right - looks like change machines, not ATMs, so I, um, changed the post.

His site says that he pays

By ShadyMilkMan - 8/7/08 - 8:27 am

His site says that he pays for the website for the probate court out of his own pocket, maybe this was his version of Robin Hood, steal from the rich change machines and produce a website for the "poor" lol

As for why it is still elected, some towns still have elected dog catchers, and library commissioners. I wonder what voter turnout is for those seats?

Interesting office

By adamg - 8/7/08 - 9:16 am

Richard Howe recaps the unusual history of the office of Middlesex County Registrar of Probate over the past 20 years, including:

Antonelli's tenure as Register of Probate was short-lived. Within ten months of taking office, the Supreme Judicial Court removed him from office for official misconduct (attempting to influence the outcome of a case before the Probate Court and treating his staff in an unprofessional manner).

Is it a good thing to have a will if you've nothing of value?...

By the zak - 8/7/08 - 4:25 pm

Is it a good thing to have a will even if you've nothing of value?...

Middlesex Probate

By the zak - 8/7/08 - 4:49 pm

http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/middprobmain.html
http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/hank/BO19269/