Koch fires top city official amid investigation into 'financial irregularities'

QUINCY ‒ Mayor Thomas Koch has fired Director of Elder Services Tom Clasby in the midst of an internal audit and police investigation into "financial irregularities" at the department. Clasby was placed on paid leave April 19.

In a dismissal letter addressed to Clasby dated May 16, Koch noted that he is legally required to specify why he is firing Clasby, but that he feels "somewhat constrained to enumerate all of what I have learned so far" before Quincy police finishes their investigation.

Koch again cited "financial irregularities" he had referred to previously when announcing Clasby's placement on leave, adding that "activity clearly intended to fraudulently obfuscate those transactions has been uncovered and is being further investigated by our Police Department."

Koch, whose friendship with Clasby goes back several decades, concluded the letter on a personal note: "Please know that this decision pains me greatly, and you and your family will remain in my prayers."

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. Last year Clasby received just under $112,000 in salary.

Recreation Director Michelle Hanly named Clasby's successor

On May 20, Koch announced the appointment of current Recreation Director Michelle Hanly as director of elder services. Hanly has headed the city's recreation department for the last five years, according to a prepared statement issued by the mayor's office.

Hanly has 20 years of experience in the Recreation Division of the city's Department of Natural Resources. She is credited with expanding recreational programming for adults, including the popular "Senior Olympics" program, the statement says.

Through recreational programs offered to Quincy seniors, Hanly has become familiar with the Kennedy Center, the senior center she will now lead, Koch said.

"Michelle has the experience, talent and passion to help people," Koch said in the statement. "The Kennedy Center is an extraordinary place, and I expect it to remain that way under Michelle's leadership."

Koch is working with Natural Resources Commissioner David Murphy to hire a new director of recreation, a transition expected to take an unspecified number of weeks, according to the statement.

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.

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mayor Thomas Koch fires Tom Clasby amid police investigation