Lawrence superintendent pleads not guilty

LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Lawrence School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and embezzlement Thursday.

Laboy, 58, is accused of using school employees to do work on his Methuen house, run errands and ferry his kids around on school time from March 2004 to March 2010.

According to documents obtained by 7NEWS, he is also accused of printing menus for his son’s pizza business and accepting $1500 in cash for getting a printer a job.

“This is a case of public corruption which is certainly important – not just for the citizens of Essex Country, but the state of Massachusetts… It is a very serious breach of the public trust,” said Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

Laboy's lawyer says the charges should never have been brought.

"He's very upset. This is very troubling. He's a man who gave great commitment to the city of Lawrence and produced great results, extraordinary results. That is demonstrated by a history that anybody can look at and see," said Scott Gleason, Laboy's attorney.

Laboy's son was charged with perjury, while former mayoral candidate Israel Reyes was charged with two counts of larceny.

Former school employee Diana Dinapoli said Laboy is getting what he deserves.

“He deserves jail time. Major, major jail time for the rape and pillage of the Lawrence public schools,” said Dinapoli.

The school committee is expected to vote on Laboy's future on Thursday night, but the city's mayor is already calling for him to be fired.

The mayor will be at the school committee hearing where Laboy's fate could be decided.

Ironically, the mayor is just one of several candidates including school committee members who Laboy allegedly had political fliers made up for. Blodgett would not say whether or not all committee members knew that they were having political posters printed inappropriately. He said some knew, and some did not, but would not specify.

Blodgett said this is an ongoing investigation and more indictments are expected.

Laboy has been released on personal recognizance. He faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.

The school committee voted to suspend Laboy without pay following the indictment.

Lawrence mayor William Lantigua said it was “a very dark day for Lawrence.”

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