Thomas Clasby Jr., the former Quincy director of the Department of Elder Services, was sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling city funds to cover personal purchases and a fake consulting scheme. Prosecutors say the money paid for items ranging from s
When Thomas Clasby Jr. was fired as the director of Quincy’s Department of Elder Services in April 2024. it was because of “financial irregularities” tied to an active Quincy police investigation. Wednesday. federal prosecutors put an even sharper point on what that firing meant: Clasby was sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling city funds.
Clasby, 62, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty in March to embezzlement, mail and wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property. The indictment came from a federal grand jury in January 2025.
After his prison term, Clasby will face six months of home confinement and one year of supervised release, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement. He was also ordered to pay more than $136,000 in restitution.
From 1999 to April 2024, Clasby served as director of the Quincy Department of Elder Services. Federal prosecutors say that starting in 2019. he began abusing the city’s purchasing process to cover personal expenses. using municipal funds for goods and services that included $8. 950 for a Weymouth music studio to produce recordings of him singing songs. $2. 236 for 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips. $4. 800 for a Toyota Prius. and $1. 658 for “a signature. lacquered. mounted and framed self-portrait.”.
Prosecutors also described a separate scheme built around a friend. Clasby arranged for the city to pay more than $38,000 to a New York consulting company owned by his friend. The consulting company, prosecutors said, never provided services to the city. Instead. Clasby’s friend cashed the checks and delivered them to him at a rest stop in Framingham. a ferry terminal in Bridgeport. Conn. and the friend’s New York apartment.
The payments weren’t limited to purchasing channels. Between June 2021 and mid-April 2024, the Department of Elder Services collected more than $57,000 in cash from Kennedy Center programs. Prosecutors said Clasby stole the majority of those cash receipts and removed money from a safe where program revenue was held.
United States Attorney Leah Foley said. “Clasby’s actions misdirected taxpayer funds. degraded government services and eroded the public’s trust.” She added. “I hope that today’s sentence sends a deterrent message to others. that if you steal from taxpayer funded programs you will be held accountable.”.
For Quincy. the case leaves behind the same question that lingers long after sentencing: how much harm can be done quietly before it is finally discovered. Prosecutors say the misuse ran for years—through purchasing practices. a “consulting” arrangement that never delivered services. and cash meant for Kennedy Center programs—before the investigation and the April 2024 firing brought it into the open.
Quincy Massachusetts elder services embezzlement federal prosecutors Leah Foley Thomas Clasby Jr. elder care funding restitution home confinement
Six months seems kinda light for embezzlement from elder services… but whatever, rules are rules I guess.
So he was buying random stuff with city money and it was for like singing recordings?? I can’t believe they let this go on that long. Also the elders really needed that money, not a Prius or whatever.
Wait, I thought Quincy Elder Services is state run not city, so how is it “city funds” if it’s under elder services? Maybe I’m mixing it up but either way sounds like someone got away with it for years.
They said there was an active Quincy police investigation when he got fired, but then it turns into federal court? So was the police thing related or just timing? The “self-portrait” and bourbon steak tips part makes me mad, like come on, that’s not even subtle. Six months in prison and then home confinement… seems like a slap if you ask me.