Former president of Massachusetts special needs organization indicted in embezzlement scheme

BOSTON – The former president of the Revere League for Special Needs has been indicted in connection with an embezzlement scheme in which she stole thousands of dollars from the organization for personal use, Attorney General Maura Healey announced.

Michelle DeMauro, 48, of Revere, was indicted Monday by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on Larceny Over $1,200 by Single Scheme (2 counts), Tax Evasion, Failure to Collect or Pay Tax, Keep Records or Supply Information (1 count), and Obtaining a Signature Under False Pretenses (2 counts). She will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on October 16.

The AG’s Office alleges that between March 2016 and April 2019, DeMauro used her position as president of the organization to embezzle more than $42,000 in charitable funds that she used for personal expenses, including home improvement projects, electronics, concert tickets, cash withdrawals, and gift cards. The AG’s Office also alleges that DeMauro made some personal purchases using the charity’s tax-exempt status to avoid paying sales tax to the state.

The Revere League for Special Needs is an organization that aims to “promote the general welfare of children and adults with special needs in the home, church, school, or community.” All staff of the Revere League are volunteers who donate their time to hold events and activities for members of the organization and do not receive any compensation for their work. The Revere League’s other board members fully cooperated and assisted with the AG’s investigation.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gretchen Brodigan, of AG Healey’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division, and Sallyann Nelligan, Chief of the AG’s Financial Investigations Division. The Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance to this investigation.