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Former Newburyport PD Sgt. charged with embezzling $41K from Police Relief Assoc.

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A former sergeant for the Newburyport Police Department has been charged with embezzling more than $41,000 from a charitable organization.

Alan Maguire, 53, of Salisbury recently retired from the police department after 30 years and now owns a local auto body shop. Police allege that he was stealing money from 2006 to 2013 from the Newburyport Police Relief Association, which he was an officer in. The association’s goal is provide scholarships to students and benefits to injured, sick or disabled police officers as well as families of officers who died while on the job.

"These are serious allegations that involve a police officer taking money away from a charitable organization meant to help other officers in need," Marshal Howard said. "This is a shocking, disappointing betrayal of trust."

After Maguire retired, the new president of the association noticed some issues with the funds and reported it to the City Marshal.

After an audit by the D.A.’s office, it was discovered that more than $41,636 was missing. Maguire was charged with one count of larceny over $250 and one count of larceny over $250 by embezzlement, both felonies, and will be summonsed to court.

Maguire declined to comment on the charges.