Former Ware Fire Chief Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over $20,000 from the Town of Ware and Three Regional Nonprofit Fire Associations
The former fire chief of Ware will pay $20,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to embezzlement charges in Hampshire County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Read the Press ReleaseIG Shapiro: Fare Evasion is Only Part of the Revenue Problem
IG Shapiro commended MBTA GM Philip Eng in a letter for the newly launched crack down on fare evaders while reminding him to prioritize more effective fare collection on all modes across the entire system.
Read the Press ReleaseMBTA’s Recent Initiatives for Fare Collection
IG Shapiro urged the MBTA to prioritize fare collection in addition to cracking down on fare evaders. The MBTA must fulfill its commitment to the riding public by showing that it takes fare collection seriously.
Read the LetterOIG Bulletin, September 2025
This issue of the OIG Bulletin includes articles on the OIG’s Northeastern Co-ops, using requests for information, how to manage risks and measure success for new programs, and other updates from the OIG.
Read the BulletinMunicipalities Can Mitigate Risks of Accepting Cash – OIG in Your Inbox
Accepting cash creates an inherent challenge that is best to address head-on, while being mindful of practical limitations to eliminating all risks. While your municipality may feel obligated to accept cash as legal tender, and may even be required in some circumstances under Massachusetts law to accept cash when offering goods and services for sale, there are several actions you can take as a steward of public resources to limit the risks.
Read the AdvisoryLease of Municipal Land – Solar Development
The OIG reviewed the procurement and lease agreement for a solar array on municipal land in the town of Marshfield.
Read the LetterHighway Service Plazas Lease and Concessions Agreement – Key Aspects for Final Agreement
The OIG provided guidance to MassDOT on key lease provisions as it prepared to negotiate the Highway Service Plazas 35-year lease with the apparent successful bidder.
Read the LetterGuidance for Municipalities on Opioid Abatement Funds and Chapter 30B
The Office of the Inspector General offers the following guidance to clarify how public procurement law, specifically Chapter 30B of the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 30B), applies to a municipality’s expenditure of opioid abatement funds. Note that all purchases using opioid abatement funds are also subject to the terms of the settlement agreements between the Commonwealth and opioid industry defendants.
Read the AdvisoryGuidance for Municipalities on Opioid Abatement Funds and Chapter 30B
The OIG offers guidance to clarify how Chapter 30B applies to a municipality’s expenditure of opioid abatement funds.
View the GuideStrategies to Manage Mobile Devices – OIG in Your Inbox
In many workplaces, mobile devices are integral to employee productivity. Thoughtful policies concerning office-issued mobile devices are an important tool for the prevention of waste and abuse of office resources. Equally important are written procedures to collect devices and terminate lines for departed employees to prevent unauthorized use and additional charges. Regularly reviewing and updating your office’s policies and procedures is also critical to the successful mitigation of the risks around the use of these devices in the public space.
Read the AdvisoryFormer Medfield Parks and Recreation Director Pleads Guilty to Stealing Public Funds
The Attorney General’s Office secured a guilty plea.
Read the Press ReleaseIG Shapiro Urges Barre Town Officials to Improve Timekeeping Controls
An investigation found that the town’s former Department of Public Works Superintendent worked for two state agencies while he was supposed to be at his municipal job.
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