Authorities seize thousands in cash, luxury watches from convicted lawmaker’s safe deposit boxes
Federal authorities have recovered additional cash stashed by a former state representative serving a prison sentence for embezzlement.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said special agents with the IRS seized over $800,000 in cash, as well as four Rolex watches and jewelry, from three safe deposit boxes on Thursday controlled by former Dartmouth selectman and state representative John George. The boxes were in three banks in New Bedford and Fairhaven.
Authorities already seized over $1 million in cash from George’s safe deposit boxes in December. In total, authorities have recovered more than $2.5 million in concealed cash and valuables from boxes belonging to George, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
George, 68, was convicted in 2015 of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority. He was ordered to pay restitution to the transit authority and forfeit $1.38 million as part of his 70-month prison sentence. Prior to his sentencing, he was required to disclose his financial status to the courts. He listed liquid assets of about $160,000 in bank accounts and about $28,000 in cash, authorities said.
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