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Former Middlesex Register of Probate pleads guilty

E-mail|Link|Comments () October 15, 2009 04:49 PM

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Surveillance cameras caught Buonomo stealing money from copy machines at the Registry of Deeds.

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

Former Middlesex County Register of Probate John R. Buonomo, who was captured on camera stealing money from copy machines at the Registry of Deeds, has pleaded guilty to two separate schemes in which he stole thousands of dollars from the machines and more than $100,000 in campaign funds, authorities said today.

John R. Buonomo

Buonomo, 57, of Newton pleaded guilty in Woburn Superior Court to charges in separate cases brought by the attorney general and the Middlesex district attorney.

"It is troubling that this elected official would violate the trust bestowed in him by committing these brazen thefts -- crimes that he has now admitted to with today's plea," said District Attorney Gerry Leone.

Buonomo pleaded guilty to charges brought by the district attorney of breaking and entering into a depository with intent to commit a larceny, theft of public property by a county officer, and larceny under $250.

He also pleaded guilty to charges brought by the attorney general of larceny over $250, personal use of campaign funds, and willfully misleading investigators.

Buonomo stole thousands in cash from copy and money machines at the Office of the Register of Deeds, which was located in the same building as his office, prosecutors said. The thefts were captured in June, July, and August 2008 by hidden cameras installed by state police. Buonomo was arrested on Aug. 6, 2008 and resigned from his post on Sept. 7 of that year.

Buonomo also stole more than $100,000 from his campaign committee for his own personal use. He withdrew money from the Committee to Elect John Buonomo by writing checks to himself falsely stating that he was reimbursing himself for postage. He also stole from the account by writing checks to a local printing company for fake print jobs.

Sentencing in the case has been set for Nov. 9.