Crime & Safety
Former Newton Police Secretary Arraigned on Larceny Charges
Jeanne Sweeney Mooney filed a civil complaint against Chief Matthew Cummings that lead to an investigation and eventually, Cummings' removal.
A former Newton Police secretary who has been in the middle of a recent shake-up at the Police Department was arraigned on larceny charges in Framingham District Court yesterday.
Jeanne Sweeney Mooney pleaded not guilty to one count of larceny over $250, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Spokesperson Stephanie Guyotte.
Mooney was released on her own personal recognizance on the condition that she stay away from the Newton Police Department, Guyotte said.
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Mooney's next court date is Oct. 29 for a pretrial conference.
Police filed the larceny charges last month, alleging that the former secretary took an envelope filled with cash from police permit fees as well as destroyed $1,500 in checks and a schedule of the fee payments.
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The theft allegedly happened a year ago and Mooney has been on paid administrative leave since September 2011.
Mooney was the former secretary for Newton Police Chief Matthew Cummings, who Mayor Setti Warren recently removed from the department following an independent investigation that looked into claims Cummings verbally humiliated and kicked Mooney in 2010.
According to city officials, Mooney filed the civil complaint in May of this year and the investigation into Cummings' behavior began shortly thereafter. The investigation concluded that there was to Mooney as well as kicked her in the foot.
Mooney alleges that the larceny charges are retaliation for civil action she filed against the department, according to a report in the Boston Globe. She has also filed a complaint with the city seeking $600,000 in damages.
During a press conference held last month, both Warren and City Solicitor Donnalyn Kahn said the city's investigation of Cummings' behavior was completely separate from any criminal cases involving Mooney.
Since his removal last month, Cummings has said he is fighting for a public dismissal hearing.
Supporters for the chief formed outside a home in Chestnut Hill yesterday to protest during Mayor Setti Warren's re-election kickoff.
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