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— Quincy Massachusetts News by Quincy Quarry News – News, Opinion and Commentary
Federal agents said be investigating suspected improprieties per Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch as reported by the South Shore broadsheet.
The broadsheet’s reporter scored an interview with Mayor Koch about financial improprieties alleged to have been committed by the City of Quincy’s longtime head of its Elder Services Department and who at least until recently was someone who had been an even-longer BFF of the mayor.
Mayor Koch asserted that Quincy Police Departmental investigators had been on the front end of investigating things until matters were then turned over to federal investigators.
At the same time, Mayor Koch “… said he’s been kept out of the investigation.”
In short, so much for Mayor Koch’s claim that he is the on top of everything in Quincy 24/7/365 as the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Quincy.
Then again, such a statement claiming ignorance could be seen as crisis management damage control as the recently fired head of Elder Services was both a department head and thus all but assuredly a direct report to the mayo as well as a longtime BFF of the mayor.
After all, not only is the alleged misappropriator arguably at least close to a direct report to the mayor, the recently so summarily fired individual is the latest of the mayor’s BFF’s, relatives, and/or otherwise connected peeps who have dined at the City of Quincy trough until they were variously cut off for pigging out or engaging in other sorts of piggery.
Further, providing a brief statement regarding the apparent misuse of probably federal funds is something that would best be broached by Mayor Koch Chief of Staph and designated flack catcher Pinocchio Walkbacker via a press release and so duck any follow-up questions.
Additionally, any undue comment could undermine a possible prosecution.
In the meanwhile, as posed previously by Quincy Quarry News, it would appear that not only have matters been referred along to the feds to investigation, it would now also appear that the investigation has likely been turned over to Special Agents within the US Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”).
If so, the alleged perp is in a world of hurt.
How so?
While Health and Human Services Special Agents are the full equivalent of FBI, Treasury, and Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms Agents, HHS agents get no respect and thus woe unto those under investigation by them.
Serious woe.
For example, Boston HHS Special Agents have long been the go to crew to see Big Pharma lay out nine figure to as much as low ten figure settlements over marketing drugs for unapproved uses.
Additionally problematic, Mayor Koch noted that matters have already been referred along to a grand jury and which baits further problems and questions.
Most obvious, so much for his claim of being out of the loop on the investigation of his now likely former BFF.
And the other, that things have been moved along for consideration by a grand jury would suggest that the investigation has been ongoing for longer than one might assume per media reports to date.
It doesn’t look good.
— Richard M. Nixon (@dick_nixon) September 18, 2020
In any event, given the way that Health and Human Services Special Agent investigations play out in due course Quincy locals can expect a detailed report on how things went down if financial improprieties are found.
A very detailed report.
In particular, how City of Quincy procedures may have been remiss as regards how the use of federal funds was monitored.
After all, federal grants come with very specific terms and conditions as well as include intertwined onerous sanctions if such funds are misappropriated.
Further, one should expect that Health and Human Services will seek a clawback of any funds found to have been misappropriated as well as that the City of Quincy will likely face further review regarding any other HHS funds provided to the City of Quincy, if not also for at least a while going forward.
Needless to say, Quincy Quarry’s ever-growing legions of loyal readers can count on the Quarry to continue to monitor this still breaking badly bad news and report updates when and as appropriate.
Oh, great. Just what we needed – another episode of “Corruption Theater,” starring our very own City of Quincy Elder Services. I can’t wait to hear how “unaware” and “shocked” everyone will claim to be. Did the federal agents bring popcorn, or do we have to endure this charade without snacks? It’s almost comical how every time there’s money involved, there’s a scandal not too far behind. I guess we should’ve known something was fishy when they started serving lobster at the senior lunches. Maybe next time they could just hand out the tax dollars directly – save us all the pretense.
Once the Federal Agents start dipping their toes into investigating the finances of Quincy’s Elder Services, they should also take a look at other Federal funding the City of Presidents has received. Quincy’s Elder Services could be but the tip of an iceberg.