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LadyLaw

07-13-2004, 10:52 AM

From the article:

SPRINGFIELD - Nine members of the politically prominent Asselin family shared a jail cell yesterday after they were arrested at dawn for allegedly sharing more than $1 million in cash, gifts and services swindled from the Springfield Housing Authority.

In the largest corruption crackdown in the city's recent history, six members of the family, including state Rep. Christopher P. Asselin, were rousted from sleep at their oceanside vacation home on Cape Cod. Three others were arrested by federal agents at local homes and businesses for allegedly siphoning public dollars and materials meant for the low-income residents of the city's public housing agency.

In a 100-count indictment the Asselins are accused of plundering the state's third largest housing authority for a decade - stocking their homes with stolen furniture and appliances and shaking down contractors for bribes and kickbacks. The lawmaker's father, Raymond B. Asselin, 67, was even accused of skimming $2,000 in quarters from the laundry machines at the housing agency that he ran for 34 years.

The sweep came two years after the authority emerged as a target of a long-running federal investigation. In addition to the Asselin family, the authority's former assistant director and three contractors were charged.

All but one defendant - a contractor who fell ill - pleaded innocent in U.S. District Court yesterday and were released. The group faces charges ranging from racketeering to bribery and extortion.

DrGuile

07-13-2004, 11:01 AM

The family's patriarch, Raymond Asselin, was identified in the indictment as the leader of the alleged decade-long stealing spree. He appeared in court yesterday wearing a sweat shirt emblazoned with the letters "NAHRO," or National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, an organization that named him "man of the year" in 2002.

Lol, this is unreal. Im glad they got caught. I hope they rot in jail and then have to live in their low-rent housing ;)