BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today to his role in a scheme to use the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase vehicles and other merchandise and apply for and utilize bank accounts and credit cards. Joshua Cruz, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire […]
Also Illegally using Sewer Funds for Construction On November 2, 2022, the Newburyport Daily News reported that the new Lafayette Road Sewer Project had an initial estimated cost of $18.5 million and quoted Town Manager Neil Harrington as saying: “The project is completely funded through the town’s sewer enterprise fund and that following the project’s […]
08/23 Just minutes after posting the story on-line about Methuen Police Captain Greg Gallant (story here) winning his Civil Service case against the City of Methuen for wrongful termination, the hate mail started pouring in. People were outraged, they were confused, and they were hostile. How could this be, many asked. How did Gallant get […]
On June 17th, the Haverhill City Council violated the state’s open meeting law by secretly discussing, drafting, finalizing, signing, and circulating a letter declaring that racism is BAD – as if we are all so stupid that we really needed them to tell us that. What this was really about, was the city council capitalizing […]
8/10/23 BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in federal court in Worcester for conspiring to traffic fentanyl and cocaine in central and eastern Massachusetts. Hector Torres Rosario, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. […]
8/10 BOSTON – Two Lawrence Men and a man from Lunenberg have been charged for their alleged roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Leonardo Lara, 43, and Leandro Martinez, 41, both of Lawrence; and Merced Navarro-Morfin, 42, of Lunenberg, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to […]
Aug. 4, 2023 [updated] The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has ruled that fired Methuen police Captain Greg Gallant must be returned to duty and given three years back pay after being illegally fired by Methuen Mayor Neil Perry. FULL RULING HERE Gallant v. Methuen, CS-22-388 Gallant was officially fired on June 9, 2022 after being put […]
State Rep. Estela Reyes 7/23 I want to start off this month by wishing the absolute best to all of the hardworking high school and college graduates in Lawrence and Methuen who received their diplomas this June. I am so inspired when I see the accomplishments of our young people and hear the excitement in […]
7/24/23 The Domestic Violence coordinator for The City of Lawrence Police Department is under investigation by the city for filing an application for a $50,000 federal grant (through the city) for a non-profit she created, called “My Lifeline, Inc.”. Belgica (Lynette) Perez represented false information on her application to the state, city, and federal government […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Our office has been very busy releasing several audit reports before the end of the fiscal year, while also focusing on approximately 64 ongoing audits. Most recently, we released an audit of MassHealth, as part of our ongoing independent statutory oversight of the state’s Medicaid program. I want to highlight this […]
By: Senator Pavel Payano, 7-23 For nearly a century, legacy preferences have played a significant role in American college and university admissions, granting preferential treatment to the children of alumni. These policies were established in the 1920s, coinciding with an influx of Jewish applicants to top schools. However, legacy preferences have been widely criticized as […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 7/23 Massachusetts is the pinnacle of education in the United States (if not the world) … yet, mounting evidence continues to remind us that we still have much work to do when it comes to preparing our students for successful and secure financial futures. The Commonwealth – especially the […]
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a raid in Lawrence that resulted in the arrest of two people in early Wednesday. Law enforcement recovered over 16 pounds of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine pills, plus two guns, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Lawrence Police Capt. Michael McCarthy announced today. Vincent Cahalane, 36, […]
Solomon allegedly caused changes to CBA that would increase his salary and provided unwarranted benefits to five intermittent police officers, including one who was a City Councilor 7-6-23 The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division has issued an Order to Show Cause alleging former City of Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon violated the conflict of interest […]
6-30-23 Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque has signed an agreement with the City of Lawrence to not return to duty and retire from the City of Lawrence after being put on leave by Mayor Brian DePena. According to sources, Vasque will be paid approximately $780,000 which includes about $300,000 in accrued sick and vacation time […]