Investigation of top Quincy official becomes clearer. What prompted the police probe

QUINCY – A high-level city official is the subject of a police investigation into "financial irregularities," according to a statement by Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch.

Thomas Clasby, the city's Director of Elder Services, was notified of the investigation and placed on paid leave when he arrived to work on the morning of Friday, April 19, according to the statement.

Clasby has held the post since 1997, managing the city's Council on Aging at the Kennedy Center on East Squantum Street and overseeing services ranging from recreational programming to housing assistance to medical and social transportation.

Koch said possible irregularities came to his attention early last week. Over the next 48 hours, "it became clear that the issues were of a potentially substantive nature and would require a full investigation," the statement reads.

Quincy police detectives are leading the investigation, and the city has hired an independent firm to conduct a forensic audit of the department, the statement says.

Mayor tries to reassure Quincy seniors

In a message to Quincy's senior residents who use Elder Services, Koch directed the following words of assurance:

"The Kennedy Center is a special place, providing programming, assistance and community for thousands of our seniors for nearly 15 years. That remains so, and there will be no disruption to any service or activities while the investigation proceeds thanks to the great team of both employees and volunteers we have at the Kennedy Center."

In an interview, Koch told The Patriot Ledger that Clasby was a personal friend and the revelation came as a shock.

"My shock turned to anger," Koch said. "My anger turned to disappointment, assuming these allegations are true."

Reviews underway, as well as investigation

In addition to the police investigation and independent audit, Quincy is conducting an internal review to ensure that all its policies and procedures are up to date and being adhered to, Koch said.

"You don't want to put somebody in a position where they can fall into temptation," he said. "You want systems in place so several people have be involved in internal transactions."

Koch said the allegations do not reflect broadly on Quincy employees.

"There are hundreds of city employees that work hard every day at what they do, providing the very best services for the people of the city," he said. "I’m grateful for their continued service. This is a shocking development. This doesn’t speak for anyone but (Clasby).

The precise nature of the "financial irregularities" and the amount of sums involved remain unknown as the investigation gets underway. Koch said that he does not yet know how far back in time the irregularities may go.

Not first allegations against Clasby

In 2009, Clasby resigned from the board of Elder Housing Corp. amid allegations that he violated conflict of interest policies.

The Patriot Ledger reported in 2009 that Clasby helped his parents move into a recently vacated unit at Naval Terrace, even though the unit had been set aside by contract for low-income seniors who qualify for federal Section 8 housing assistance. Another couple was already at the top the waiting list.

Elder Housing Corp. is a nonprofit created to manage Naval Terrace, an affordable senior housing complex near Quincy's Squantum neighborhood. Elder Housing Corp. policies bar family members of city officials or board members from living in the senior housing community. Clasby was both.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Tom Clasby on leave as police investigate financial irregularities