Middlesex Sheriff Employee Charged With Fraud
A Malden resident is facing allegations she inappropriately used sick time to pursue a career in real estate.
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A Middlesex County Sheriff's Office employee is facing criminal fraud charges for allegedly working another job while she remained on medical leave from the sheriff's office.
Joyce Drinkwater, 67, of Malden was charged on Nov. 19 with knowingly presenting a fraudulent claim to a public employer for a benefit, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Drinkwater allegedly collected her full salary as she stayed on medical leave from the sheriff's office.
Drinkwater, who worked in the sheriff's payroll office, took medical leave in June and when that ended she allegedly used her unused sick time remain out on leave, according to the DA's office. She allegedly certified to the sheriff's office that she was unable to work and would not work at another job while on leave.
However, the sheriff's office discovered she was a licensed real estate agent and the State Police launched an investigation. Investigators soon learned that Drinkwater was allegedly working for Century 21 Sexton & Donohue Inc. in Melrose, according to the DA's office.
"This employee's alleged actions bring undeserved dishonor to all public sector employees. It is paramount that we maintain the integrity of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, therefore, if this allegation is proven true, she must be held accountable for her actions. Any allegation of impropriety or wrongdoing involving a member of this Office will be taken seriously and fully investigated," said Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.
Drinkwater is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 13 at Malden District Court.
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Andrew Sylvia
6:23 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Deleted a few comments for violations of the terms of use. Very borderline though, the commenters are welcome to repost to the comments in a more respectful tone.
Iron Mike
6:45 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
It takes a degree of courage to delete comments Andrew. I do it on my blog all the time – we've had 189,778 spam comments in 4 years.
But I think it will take even more courage for you and others in 'the Press' to go interview Joyce Drinkwater. Find out about the ongoing culture of corruption in the Middlesex Sheriff's Department and jail.
Remember that before he drove to Maine and committed suicide [did he?] Sheriff DiPaola was involved in a double-dipping scheme – he changed his mind after considerable public pressure.
My recent chat with the new Sheriff – Peter Koutoujian was about why there has never been a public release of any investigation or audit. He told me Coakley [the cherry picker] had done an investigation, and that Susan Bump [the tax cheat] and done an audit.
Wow! That sure clears things up!
Except,...just two months ago another employee - Michael Dell'Isola – was sentenced to jail himself – for pressuring inmates to supply him with cocaine.
Koutoujian has a choice – he can do what all Democrats in this state do – sweep the dirt under the rug an hope nobody notices...[didn't work well for the Probation Department]...
...OR, he can call in outside investigators and auditors – and clean up the mess – and let the political relatives and chips fall where they may.
A little real investigative reporting would be nice too!
Andrew Sylvia
11:18 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Hi Mike,
I'll do my best to follow up on that if possible. Right now I have about a dozen other stories pending here in Westford and Chelmsford. They have to take priority.
Patch did have the Dell'Isola incident, (http://somerville.patch.com/articles/somerville-sheriff-s-department-sergeant-guilty-on-cocaine-charges) I apologize for not cloning it to here.
Iron Mike
8:41 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Well Andrew,...when you get time...you might interview a few folks out at Souza-Baranowski and find out why Warden Anthony Mendonsa was suddenly allowed to 'resign' back in June.
You can start with two absolutely worthless Deval Patrick appointees – Mary Beth Heffernan and her Undersecretary for Criminal Justice – Sandra McCroom who had 'nothing to say' in June. Ask them about Mendonsa. You don't think corruption is limited to just our county prisons – do you?
BTW, a week after Mendonsa quit there was a bad riot there – several guards seriously injured.
How about our State Police Superintendent – Colonel Marian McGovern – who 'retired' last May and filed for disability [$13,583/month] in June – because of her 'bad heart'. How long did she have that 'bad heart' while qualifying for her highest 3 years?
Guess it was bad enough that she never investigated the State Drug Lab and Annie Dookhan. Yeah, the 'Colonel' got out from under that one! Whew! Di$ability!
If you decide to become a reporter Andrew – there's plenty for you to work on!