Former Town Employee in Stow Charged in Connection with Alleged Embezzlement of Public Funds

STOW – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Stow Police Chief Michael Sallese and Acting Inspector General Natalie Monroe have announced that Pamela Landry, 57, of Westminster, has been charged in connection with allegedly embezzling taxpayer dollars for personal expenses while she was employed as the Town Treasurer.

Landry was arraigned today in Concord District Court on charges of larceny of property by single scheme/embezzlement over $1,200, fiduciary embezzlement, making a false claim to a government agency, two counts of forgery, and uttering a false check. Judge Lynn C. Brendemuehl ordered the defendant released on personal recognizance and ordered her to stay away from and have no contact with town of Stow employees.  The next date in this case is November 2, 2022.

In 2019, an outside auditor hired by the town of Stow allegedly discovered irregularities while conducting a routine audit that indicated a shortage of $133,584.39 from the Town’s bank accounts. When asked about the discrepancies the defendant allegedly indicated that the shortage of funds was due to a bank error and produced a statement, later determined to be fraudulent, to support this claim.

Following the initial investigation, the town of Stow in partnership with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General conducted a lengthy investigation that included an in-depth review of Town finances.  That investigation revealed that, while working in a fiduciary capacity, the defendant was allegedly diverting monies from the Town and covering it up by making knowingly false claims to the Town. In total, the defendant allegedly stole between $45,000 and $133,584 in taxpayer dollars. To date the money has been paid back.

These charges are allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Pamela Landry retired in October 2019 and is no longer an employee of the town of Stow.