By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Former Medfield Parks & Recreation employee, Kevin Ryder, was indicted on Thursday for the corruption and stealing of money from public funds, authorities said. Ryder served as the Director of the Medfield Parks & Recreation Department for almost eight years.
According to Boston 25 News, Ryder is being charged with four counts of larceny over $1,200 by scheme, one count larceny under $1,200, one count of accepting illegal gratuities, and two counts of using an official position to secure unwarranted privilege.
Failure to report and turn over money his department had collected over the years incentivized Attorney General Andrea Campbell to launch an investigation into Ryder’s work. Authorities have alleged Ryder of stealing over $100,000 from the town.
It is alleged, a majority of the money he accumulated was from entrance fees and concessions at Medfield’s Hinkley Swim Pond, a popular summer campsite located within the town. Ryder also allegedly used the town’s Amazon account to purchase personal items to support his own business and sold electronic devices on eBay.
According to the Attorney General’s office, the corruption unfortunately did not stop there. It has been shown that Ryder continually exploited his position as the Parks & Recreation Department Director to allegedly sell thousands of dollars worth of town-purchased equipment and keep the sales entirely to himself.
As news started to quickly spread, the Town Administrator’s Office went on to make their official statement, “Today (Oct. 5), the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General announced the indictment of former Director of Medfield Parks & Recreation, Kevin Ryder. In August of 2022, the Town discovered that Mr. Ryder was engaged in the active concealment of cash flow from the Hinkley Swim Pond. Mr. Ryder misled Town officials, turning over only a portion of the cash collected. Immediately upon learning of Mr. Ryder’s suspected financial misconduct, the Town referred the matter to the Attorney General’s Office. The Town promptly undertook a series of steps to tighten its security for all cash handling and continues to strengthen its financial protocols. The Town takes these charges very seriously and assures the public that we are committed to providing the quality and level of service with integrity of operations that the residents of Medfield deserve.”
Ryder will be arraigned in Norfolk County Superior Court at a later date. Hometown Weekly’s attempts to reach out to Medfield Town Hall were left unanswered.
