Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 266, § 51 (2026)

City, town or county officers; fraud or embezzlement

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 51. A county, city or town officer who embezzles or fraudulently converts, or who fraudulently takes or secretes with intent so to do, effects or property which belong to or are in possession of said county, city or town, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two years.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1961–2014 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Mahoney, 863 N.E.2d 951 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007).

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Commonwealth v. Mahoney, 863 N.E.2d 951 (Mass. App. Ct. 2007). · cites it 12× “The defendant, Martha Mahoney, was indicted for embezzlement by a city, town, or county officer, see G. L. c. 266, § 51, and for larceny over $250, see G.”

Ret. Bd. v. Buonomo, 6 N.E.3d 1069 (Mass. 2014). “266, § 30 (1), and eight counts of embezzlement by a public officer, G. L. c. 266, § 51. He committed these offenses during the time that he held office *663 as register of probate of Middlesex County.”

Commonwealth v. Oliver, 172 N.E.2d 241 (Mass. 1961). “Each of the defendants is an officer of the city of Taunton under G. L. c. 266, § 51, which provides that “A county, city or town officer who embezzles or fraudulently converts, or who fraudulently takes or secretes with intent so to do, effects or property which belong to or…”

Fid. & Deposit Co. of Maryland v. Sproules, 799 N.E.2d 147 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “268, § 13B; and fraud or embezzlement by a city, town, or county officer, G. L. c. 266, § 51. The city of Brockton was insured by the plaintiff with respect to losses arising from such activities and submitted to the plaintiff two proofs of loss totaling $171,763.”

Somerville Ret. Bd. v. Buonomo, 30 Mass. L. Rptr. 10 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2012). “266, §16, eight counts of embezzlement of public funds in violation of G.L.c. 266, §51, and seven counts of larceny under $250 in violation of G.”

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