A former official at UMass Memorial Health Care Inc. has been charged with stealing more than $2.5 million from the hospital system through bogus construction contracts.

John Lawler, the senior director of major capital projects at UMass Memorial from June 2003 to July 2007, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday in Worcester Superior Court to multiple charges including larceny and bribery.

Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Lawler was indicted May 21 and was arrested Nov. 2 in Texas.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that prosecutors claim the former Stow resident set up fake bank accounts in the name of a construction company. He then allegedly stole the hospital’s payment checks to the company and deposited the funds in his personal accounts.

Lawler’s lawyer declined comment. (AP)

 

Former UMass Hospital Construction Chief Charged With Theft

by Banker & Tradesman time to read: <1 min
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