By Ken Maguire, Associated Press, 03/27/03

FROM THE GLOBE Union reveals major theft

BOSTON The former finance director of the state's largest teachers union was indicted Thursday for allegedly embezzling $802,000 from the union over the past six years.

Richard Anzivino, 49, of Needham allegedly wrote 270 Massachusetts Teachers Association checks to himself. Each check was for $5,000 or less, so an MTA stamp would suffice as approval, instead of a signature.

Investigators in the Attorney General's office said he took the money for personal use, but wouldn't offer specifics on where the money was spent and how much, if any, remains.

"We have seen the money come in and go out," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said. "We have some sense of what motivated him. We expect to be able to comment on that at the arraignment."

No property has been seized, but a search warrant has been executed, Grossman said, declining to comment further.

Anzivino was indicted by a Suffolk grand jury on seven counts each of larceny over $250 and false entries in corporate books with intent to fraud. He is scheduled to be arraigned April 23.

A woman who answered a phone listed to Anzivino in Needham had no comment. She declined to give her name or say whether an attorney has been hired.

Anzivino became the MTA's director of finance and accounting in 1995. He was fired last September after the union's bank warned of suspicious transactions. He had been employed by the union since 1988.

The union said in a mailing to members that Anzivino admitted to the theft of some MTA funds when confronted last September by union treasurer Ed Sullivan.

Grossman would not comment on whether Anzivino has made any statements to investigators.