A Plymouth woman who allegedly faked her own death to avoid relatively minor criminal charges was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail Tuesday. Shannon Elizabeth Wilson, 44, is accused of using false identities when questioned by police, making false reports and failing to appear for several court dates. She pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple […]
Author Archives: Andrea Estes - Independent Staff
Posted inPolice & Fire
Van Cott admits to schools’ fraud scheme
Plymouth schools’ former director of food services who stole thousands of dollars of food and equipment has signed a plea deal with federal prosecutors in exchange for a prison sentence of less than a year. Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, was charged earlier this week in a 11-year fraud scheme in which he resold […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Feds charge fired school official with fraud
The fired director of food services at Plymouth schools was charged by federal authorities Wednesday in a brazen, decade-long fraud scheme to steal food and equipment he then used at his own Cape Cod side business. Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, who was fired last year after the alleged fraud scheme was discovered, now […]
Posted inGovernment
Town Meeting member slammed for outburst
“Did he really say that?” Select Board Member Deb Iaquinto wondered when she heard shouting coming from the rear of the auditorium during Saturday’s town meeting. It was Jeff Fosdick, Precinct 11 vice chair, yelling “Suck it, Lantagne!” at Lisa Lantagne, a Town Meeting member on the losing side of an agenda item he supported. […]
Posted inGovernment
Town Manager ordered to back off at Airport
A superior court judge has barred town manager Derek Brindisi from interfering in the affairs of the Plymouth Municipal Airport. In a three-paragraph order made public Friday, Plymouth Superior Court Judge Gregg Pasquale made clear he believes Brindisi was inserting himself where he didn’t belong. “The public interest in having a properly functioning airport is […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Identify fraud case dropped against Border agent
Identity theft charges have been dismissed against U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who filed a bizarre complaint with Plymouth police while posing as Town Manager Derek Brindisi. Plymouth District Court Judge John Canavan last week dismissed the charge against Christopher Marden, 36, of Holliston, on grounds there was no financial incentive behind the false […]
Posted inGovernment
Neighbors’ protests fail to stop Pulte condo project
Despite months of impassioned protests by neighbors, the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals on Monday approved Pulte Homes’ 163-unit affordable condominium development in North Plymouth. Each of the five ZBA members said they opposed the project, but those voting in favor of it said they feel encumbered by state laws giving developers much leeway to […]
Posted inGovernment
Zoning Board poised to approve Pulte project
For months, neighbors have been begging the town’s zoning board to deny Pulte Homes permits to build three condo buildings in North Plymouth. The project was too large, they argued, too dense and out of place in the quiet North Plymouth neighborhood. They cited the arsenic and other toxic substances found in the soil and […]
Posted inGovernment
Airport Commission sues Town over interference
A burgeoning feud between Town Hall and the Airport Commission over which has ultimate authority to run the airport is now in court. The Plymouth Municipal Airport Commission filed suit Wednesday claiming Town Manager Derek Brindisi has overstepped his authority by meddling illegally in airport affairs. The lawsuit – filed against Brindisi and the town […]
Posted inPolice & Fire
Plymouth couple is charged with repeatedly raping their foster child
A Plymouth police officer and her husband were charged Thursday with repeatedly raping a teenaged foster child living in their home for years. But the couple, through their attorneys, insisted the allegations were the fabrications of a troubled young man with a grudge. Plymouth Assistant District Attorney James Duffy said the alleged assaults took place […]