Canton Man, Former Officer, Pleads Guilty To Employment Fraud

CANTON, MA — A former Boston police officer has pleaded guilty in federal court to committing over $20,000 in overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department's evidence warehouse, said a news release from United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Retired Officer James Carnes, 57, of Canton, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds.

Carnes and eight other Boston Police Officers were charged in September 2020 for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that occurred between May 2016 and February 2019. Prosecutors say the officers collectively embezzled over $200,000.

Investigators say Carnes admitted that he submitted fraudulent overtime slips at the evidence warehouse for hours he didn't work between July 2016 and February 2019. The slips were submitted for two different overtime shifts, during which Carnes and his coworkers only worked part of the shifts they claimed.

Carnes is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10. He faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss for the embezzlement charge and up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the conspiracy charge.