Investigation: Did Mass. Grand Lodge misuse $1.5 million?
The Boston Herald reported on Saturday that an investigation is being conducted into allegations that as much as $1.5 million was embezzled from the 275-year old Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Does this even surprise anyone any more?
From the Boston Herald:
Suffolk County prosecutors are investigating allegations that as much as $1.5 million was embezzled from funds within the headquarters of the secretive Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons, sources said.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State William F. Galvin’s Securities Division is launching its own separate probe of the Grand Lodge’s finances, sending a letter of inquiry yesterday to giant financial house UBS for information on its business dealings with the ancient fraternal order, according to a source.
A law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the Suffolk probe told the Herald yesterday that members of the lodge discovered the financial irregularities and took their findings to authorities, who have in turn launched a criminal probe that is zeroing in on two Mason officials.
Authorities within Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley’s office are investigating the potential embezzlement of about $1.5 million over an eight-year period, the source said.
Conley declined to comment through a spokesman. “I cannot confirm or deny any potential investigation,” said Jake Wark.
Assistant Grand Treasurer Craig S. MacPherson referred questions to Grand Secretary Jeffrey L. Gardiner, who acknowledged that a probe is under way but declined to give any other information.
“We can’t make any comment during the investigation,” he said yesterday.
UBS, which Galvin has charged with fraud and dishonest conduct in a separate civil case involving the sale of auction-rate securities to clients, has many business dealings with various Mason entities, sources said.
Galvin’s office has asked UBS to provide by July 25 a description of “the inception of the client relationships and services, the broker or brokers of record, the supervisor of the brokers and documents and materials furnished to the (Massachusetts Grand) Lodge by UBS,” the source said, quoting the letter.
A UBS spokeswoman declined comment yesterday.
The Suffolk and Galvin probes could prove to be yet another blow for area Masons, who several years ago were hit with a scandal involving former money-manager and radio-station owner Brad Bleidt. He was convicted of swindling tens of millions of dollars from area investment victims, many of them Masons.
Bleidt, who used to be a Mason, is now serving time at the federal prison in Fort Dix, N.J.
Brother Sam Adams said,
July 14, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I would like to inform the general public of a Matter that is a concern of mine. The Grand Lodge of Masons In Massachusetts about 10-12 years ago took possession of all the masonic lodge buildings in the state of Massachusetts and transferred the Deed’s into the Grand Lodges name. About two years after this taking place the Grand Lodge started borrowing large sums of monies against thees properties. I was told at the present time that all the buildings have been borrowed against to the hilt. If the Grand Lodge does not pay a payment every month on every building it will be foreclosed.
Aaron said,
July 15, 2008 at 9:12 am
A Fox News story about people who don’t like certain blogs reporting them to Google as Spam and getting them shut down:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,382452,00.html
I would have emailed this to you but was rushed so I posted it he
Squire Bentley said,
July 18, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I posted the same information as you did with some editorial comment of my own – after all I spent 15 years in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts with two stints in the East.
Well Bro. Ed KIng blasted me out real good!
Glad to see you are back in operation.
WoMa said,
October 16, 2008 at 10:30 am
If GL actually holds the deeds to all the buildings in Mass. then how did we sell our building 2 years ago qnd move to smaller digs?