Former Dedham Veterans Services Officer Indicted

Dedham MA

01 July, 2021

5:48 PM

Description

DEDHAM, MA — A Norfolk County Grand Jury has issued twelve indictments against former Dedham town Parking Clerk and Veterans Services Officer. William J. Aitken, 54, of Dedham, allegedly stole resources meant for Veterans while serving in his position, stealing parking receipts, and other charges related to his job. Town staff noticed a discrepancy in donations to the Veterans Services Department in 2019, and Aitken was reported to the town manager's office. A hearing followed and Aitken was put on administrative leave before an investigation which caused the Town of Dedham to terminate his employment. The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said Aitken was indicted on: one count of larceny by false pretenses over $1,200, four counts of larceny by single scheme of $1,200 or less, three counts of larceny of $1,200 or less, one count of larceny of more than $1,200, one count of Forgery, one count of uttering a forged document and one count of municipal employee receive/request compensation other than as provided by law. "With the help of a third-party auditing firm, we have conducted an internal audit and have developed stronger controls that have been put in place to protect the town from this happening in the future," said Town Manager Leon Goodwin, in a press release Thursday. Aitken is set to be arraigned in Norfolk Superior court on Wednesday, July 7.