The following is an update on the outcome of Mr. King’s case
On January 6, 2017, Attorney General Maura Healy announced that former RMV Employee Steven J. King had plead guilty to the charges of Attempted Extortion (9 counts), Larceny by False Pretenses (9 counts), and Use of Official Position to Secure an Unwarranted Privilege (3 counts) in Norfolk Superior Court. After pleading guilty, Judge Beverly Cannone sentenced Mr. King to six months in the House of Correction, with 30 days committed and the balanced suspended for three years. King was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,125.
“This individual abused his position as a field investigator at the RMV to take money from hardworking business owners for his own personal use,” AG Healey said. “He threatened station owners with violations and led them to believe they needed to pay him money when in fact they did not. Our office will prosecute individuals who abuse their positions for their own personal benefit at the expense of others.”
For those interested in reading about the case, the following is the original article we published in 2014, upon the announcement of Mr. King’s indictment.
AG claims Extortion and Larcenous Schemes Were Used to Take Money for Personal Use
A former RMV Employee has been indicted this month in connection with claims he took more than $30,000 dollars from multiple inspection stations throughout Massachusetts.
“We allege that this defendant abused his position of authority to extort, threaten and steal tens of thousands of dollars from hardworking business owners,” AG Coakley said. “He allegedly exploited these victims to illegally take money for his own personal use.”
The investigation into Mr. King began in February 2014 after the RMV referred the matter to the AG’s Office. According to the investigation, from October 2006 until October 2012, Mr. King was assigned to oversee various stations and garages licensed to do vehicle inspections.
As a field inspector of the RMV, Mr. King was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that inspection stations complied with all RMV rules and regulations.
In reality, however, authorities allege that instead of inspecting stations, Mr. King obtained more than $30,000 from multiple inspection stations via various schemes involving extortion and larceny.
In one example from the investigation, it is alleged that Mr. King threatened station owners with violations or with closure of their inspection machines until a certain quantity of money was paid over to him. In another instance, Mr. King allegedly told station owners that he needed money in exchange for assistance in completing the application process for an inspection license
As a result of these actions, a Norfolk Grand Jury indicted Steven J. King, 47, of Marshfield on six counts of Attempted Extortion, eight counts of Larceny by False Pretense and three counts of Unwarranted Use of Privilege. He will be arraigned by in Norfolk County Court at a later date.
