Investigation into Quincy’s top official becomes clearer. What prompted the police investigation

QUINCY – A top city official is the subject of a police investigation into “financial irregularities,” according to a statement from Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch.

Thomas Clasby, the city’s senior care director, was notified of the investigation and placed on paid leave when he arrived for work on the morning of Friday, April 19, the statement said.

Clasby has held the position since 1997, where he led the city’s council at the Kennedy Center on East Squantum Street and oversaw services ranging from recreational programs to housing assistance and medical and social transportation.

Koch said possible irregularities came to his attention early last week. Over the next 48 hours, “it became clear that the issues were potentially substantive in nature and would require a full investigation,” the statement said.

Detectives from the Quincy Police Department are leading the investigation and the city has hired an independent firm to conduct a forensic audit of the department, the statement said.

Mayor tries to reassure Quincy seniors

In a message to Quincy seniors who use Elder Services, Koch offered these words of reassurance:

“The Kennedy Center is a special place that has been providing programs, assistance and community to thousands of our seniors for nearly 15 years. That will remain the case, and there will be no disruption to any services or activities while the investigation continues, thanks to the great team of both staff and volunteers we have at the Kennedy Center.”

In an interview, Koch told The Patriot Ledger that Clasby was a personal friend and that the revelation came as a shock.

“My shock turned to anger,” Koch said. “My anger turned to disappointment, assuming these allegations are true.”

Reviews are underway, as is an investigation

In addition to the police investigation and independent audit, Quincy is conducting an internal review to ensure all its policies and procedures are up to date and adhered to, Koch said.

“You don’t want to put someone in a position where he or she could be tempted,” he said. “You want systems in place so that multiple people are involved in internal transactions.”

Koch said the allegations do not broadly concern Quincy employees.

“There are hundreds of city employees who work hard every day at what they do and provide the very best services to the city’s residents,” he said. “I am grateful for their continued service. This is a shocking development. This doesn’t apply to anyone other than (Clasby).

The precise nature of the “financial irregularities” and the size of the amounts involved remain unknown as the investigation progresses. Koch said he doesn’t yet know how far back in time the irregularities could go.

Not the first accusations against Clasby

In 2009, Clasby resigned from the board of Elder Housing Corp. amid allegations that he violated conflict of interest policies.

The Patriot Ledger reported in 2009 that Clasby helped his parents move into a recently vacated unit on Naval Terrace, even though the unit was contractually reserved for low-income seniors eligible for federal Section 8 housing assistance. Another couple was already at the top of the waiting list.

Elder Housing Corp. is a nonprofit organization created to manage Naval Terrace, an affordable senior housing complex near Quincy’s Squantum neighborhood. Elder Housing Corp. Policy prohibits family members of city officials or board members from living in the senior housing community. Clasby was both.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Tom Clasby is on leave while police investigate financial irregularities