LAWRENCE - Embattled school Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy now faces numerous criminal charges for using on-the-clock school employees to work at his home, take out his trash, and chauffeur his son and grandchildren around.
Laboy faces eight counts of fraud and embezzlement. Also indicted were his son Wilfredo Laboy II, his former special assistant Mark Rivera, and failed mayoral candidate Israel Reyes. Rivera stands charged with seven counts of larceny of property over $250 while Reyes faces two counts of the same charge. Wilfredo Laboy II is charged with a single count of perjury.
"The crimes alleged involve a serious violation of the public trust," said Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.
The indictments say that on various dates after March 2004, Laboy used school employees to do electrical work at his Methuen home, as well as had school computer technicians there during school hours. The indictment also says he used school employees to take out his trash and have it disposed of at Lawrence school property.
Also at issue is Laboy's use of the $489,000 printing press purchased by the school department in 2003. The indictments allege school employees provides graphic design work and produced copies of seminar materials, fliers, invitations, brochures and other documents for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), while on school time. The press was purchased the same year Laboy became president of ALAS.
No one answered the door at Laboy's Methuen home today.
The investigation also focused on a Sal's Pizza franchise he opened in Methuen at 163 Howe St. in November 2008. The indictments allege school employees also provided graphic design work, materials and produced copies of menus for the restaurant.
He's also accused of using school employees to drive Wilfredo Laboy II to and from Sal's where he is listed as manager. Lawrence school employees also provided transportation during school hours for Laboy's grandchildren from their school in Methuen.
When approached at the pizza shop, Wilfredo Laboy II refused to answer any questions.
Rivera, of Haverhill, is charged with using school graphic designers to his benefit. According to the indictments, Rivera allegedly directed to provide graphic design, printing materials and produce political campaign literature for his sister and former School Committeewoman; former School Committeeman Peter Larocque: current School Committee member Gregory Morris; School Committee member Omaira Mejia; and then-state Rep. William Lantigua who is now mayor, as well as Reyes' mayoral campaign.
According to the court paperwork, Reyes also directed school graphic designers to produce political campaign literature and other personal documents for him. He allegedly ordered the graphic designers to provide graphic design, printing materials, and produce copies of political campaign literature for state Rep. Barry Finegold.
The investigation determined that not all of the candidates knew that printing was being done on their behalf by the school employees.
The indictments come nine months after Lawrence Police and Essex County District Attorney's office launched a raid on school department offices as well as Laboy's Methuen home on Howe Street. Detectives seized several computers and files, as well as found 16 bottles of alcohol kept in an "unlocked armoire" in Laboy's office. Laboy faces one charge of keeping alcohol on school premises.
Laboy is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Salem Superior Court. He has been on leave since June, but still collecting about $4,000 a week in vacation and sick time. First hired in 2000 to run Lawrence schools, Laboy previously announced he planned to retire in October 2010. Lantigua's Chief of Staff Lenny Degnan said the School Committee has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday night.
Rivera served as Laboy's right-hand man until he resigned as the superintendent's special assistant in April. He admitted to using school department software to run improper background checks on everyone from celebrities, to professional athletes, to local politicians and newspaper reporters.
The Essex County grand jury indictments were the result of an investigation by Lawrence Police, District Attorney's office, Massachusetts State Police and the state auditor's office.
More to come as it develops. For complete coverage, see tomorrow's The Eagle-Tribune
