Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Public TV Exec In Massachusetts Accused Of Embezzling $110K

From the Taunton Gazette on 4/23/2013:

Rehoboth public TV exec arraigned on embezzlement charges
By Marc Larocque
The Rehoboth Public Access Corp. television station vice president accused of embezzling more than $110,000 was arraigned on Tuesday morning in Fall River Superior Court.

Edward Schagrin, who has acted as vice president of Rehoboth’s local-access television network, was held on $5,000 cash bail by Judge Raymond Veary.

The charges were brought against Schagrin after a six-month-long investigation into the Rehoboth Public Access Corp. (REPAC), coordinated by Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Patrick O. Bomberg, along with state police and Rehoboth Police Detective Brian Ramos.

Prosecutors allege that Schagrin, acting as a REPAC board member, embezzled more than $110,000, as well as video recording/editing equipment from REPAC and the town government of Rehoboth. The scheme, according to the investigation, was ongoing for several years.

Upon the conclusion of the investigation into Schagrin, Rehoboth police seized more than $110,000 from a number of area banks, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the money was part of the embezzlement and larceny scheme.

A press release from the district attorney’s office recounts some of the details of the embezzlement allegations.

“Amongst other things, the investigation revealed that in October 2011 Mr. Schagrin wrote himself a check from the REPAC account for $117,000 for ‘technical support’ he says he provided REPAC between 2008 and 2011,” the statement said. “The accounting of his work hours, however, is contradicted by annual state public charity financial reports and tax filings from the years in question.”

In addition to the $5,000 bail, Veary ordered Schagrin not to transfer any money or property from REPAC accounts during the pendency of the case.

The Gazette so far has been unable to reach Schagrin or his legal representation for comment.

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