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Mass. laundry owner accused of stealing gas

BOSTON (AP) — The owner of several automated laundry facilities around Massachusetts has been charged with stealing more than $214,000 worth of natural gas by tampering with meters.

The state attorney general's office alleges that 56-year-old Steven Bankert of North Attleborough tampered with 10 gas meters at six laundries he owned in Attleboro, Brockton, Lawrence and Worcester.

Bankert was indicted Thursday on larceny charges for allegedly stealing the gas, and was also indicted on charges of allegedly failing to file income tax returns for the tax years 2006 to 2011.

The attorney general's office began an investigation in August 2011 after Columbia Gas filed a complaint with the office. The company suspected tampering and theft of gas after they detected low and erratic consumption patterns.

Bankert could not be reached for comment.