Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A former police officer from Stoneham has been sentenced in federal court for his involvement in a bribery and kickback scheme related to Mass Save contracts. Joseph Ponzo, 51, received a 27-month prison sentence followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $115,528 in restitution and a $100,000 fine. In November 2024, Ponzo pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and making false statements.
"Joseph Ponzo was a sworn officer, who pledged an oath to uphold the law, not violate it. However, he chose greed over integrity," stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. "Joseph Ponzo’s greed came at the cost of consumers who were left paying the bill."
The FBI's Boston Division Special Agent Jodi Cohen commented on the case: "When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and breaks the law to pad his paycheck like Joseph Ponzo did, he betrays the people of his community – and all of us who wear a badge."
Thomas Demeo from IRS Criminal Investigation emphasized their commitment against corruption: “Today’s sentencing of Joseph Ponzo demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to routing out corruption from all levels of government.”
Ponzo conspired with his brother Christopher Ponzo in this scheme that involved cash bribes and other benefits exchanged for assistance in securing millions in Mass Save contracts. Massachusetts utility companies collect funds through an energy efficiency surcharge intended for energy conservation projects under programs like Mass Save.
From 2013 to 2017, Christopher paid Associate 1 weekly cash bribes as part of their operation which helped set up Air Tight—a shell company under Joseph's spouse's name—to perform insulation work despite lacking professional experience.
After Associate 1 left Company A in 2017, they recruited Associate 2 into their ongoing scheme until 2022 while also filing false tax returns claiming personal expenses as business deductions.
In April 2022 interviews with federal agents both brothers denied making any bribe payments but were later found guilty leading up to February sentencing where Christopher received similar penalties alongside Joseph.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Dustin Chao prosecuted this case following announcements made by U.S Attorney Foley along with FBI SAC Cohen & IRS Acting SAC Demeo today regarding these proceedings against both individuals involved within such fraudulent activities concerning public trust violations impacting taxpayer-funded initiatives statewide across Massachusetts' communities alike benefiting ultimately toward furtherance thereof future prevention efforts aimed addressing systemic issues therein encountered hitherto historically prevalent amongst various sectors inclusive thereof respective jurisdictions nationwide accordingly thereafter duly noted henceforth moving forward collectively together collaboratively united steadfastly committed resolutely unwaveringly determined perseveringly unyieldingly indefatigably relentless pursuit justice truth accountability transparency fairness equity equality liberty democracy rule law order peace security prosperity well-being 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