This week, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Joseph P. Hurley, III as Circuit Justice of the District Court. Assistant Clerk Hurley has 28 years of legal experience.

“Joseph P. Hurley, III possesses years of experience in public service that make him a well-qualified candidate for the District Court,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of his nomination for this appointment.”

“I am pleased with the nomination of this distinguished candidate,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Attorney Hurley’s years of experience in both the public and private sectors and deep knowledge of the law will allow him to serve the Commonwealth with fairness.”

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth’s diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

About Joseph P. Hurley, III

Joseph P. Hurley, III began his law career as a law clerk with Hannon and Hurley in 1988, and later as an associate after receiving his law degree in 1991. Assistant Clerk Hurley joined the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in 1993 before returning to Hannon and Hurley to resume his position as an associate from 1994 to 1996. He then joined the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds in 1996 as the Head Executive Assistant Register of Deeds.

Since 1998, Assistant Clerk Hurley has served in his current position for the Norfolk Country Superior Court. He is very active in his community, both as a coach for Braintree Youth Lacrosse and as a volunteer for the Braintree Municipal Golf Course Special Needs Golf Program. Assistant Clerk Hurley is a member of both the Massachusetts and Norfolk County Bar Associations, serving as an officer in various roles for the latter, and is the Secretary of the Superior Court Clerks’ Association.

Assistant Clerk Hurley received his Bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael’s College in 1983, and his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 1991.

“DPI Crews have been around the City replacing dog poop bag dispensers. Please help us keep the City clean and dispose of your bags properly!” -New Bedford DPI.

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City of New Bedford photo.

City of New Bedford photo.

We’re happy to say that Lexee has been found safe and is back home.

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“Help us find our MISSING TEENAGE foster daughter. Last seen at New Bedford High School Wednesday morning. Her name is Lexee Ortiz-Dominguez. She may be with young adults.

I am Lexee’s foster mom. A police report has been filed. DCF as well as Massachusetts Mentor have been made aware. She was last seen with her 21-year old Brother Devin and his girlfriend Karina.

Police have been doing wellness checks at her biological parents and families houses. If you have any information or see Lexee please contact the New Bedford Police Department at (508) 991-6300.” -Kayla Ferguson.

Donations will support the restoration of the CEDC Headquarters after a fire last Spring.

On April 19, 2021, a devastating fire in the North End of New Bedford claimed the lives of two residents and displaced over three dozen occupants, including the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC).

Over the last nine months, the CEDC has remained focused and committed to its mission while working to establish a new headquarters at 1501 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. The CEDC is a vital resource to the individuals they serve and as a partner to Southcoast Health in achieving its mission as a nonprofit community hospital.

Southcoast Health is proud to support the rebuild of the CEDC headquarters through the donation of surplus office supplies and furniture.

“The furniture donation from Southcoast Health was essential for us after the fire,” said Corinn Williams, Executive Director of the CEDC. “The chairs and tables helped outfit our classroom and enabled us to start the English for Speakers of Other Languages program at our new site.”

Southcoast health photo.

The CEDC is a grass-roots non-profit that assists new immigrant families and long-term residents in achieving economic opportunities through skill building, providing access to critical resources, and by promoting neighborhood revitalization. The CEDC also plays a critical role in combatting COVID-19, including working with Southcoast Health to provide community-based outreach and education and promoting Southcoast’s testing and vaccine initiatives.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the entire team at the CEDC for their ongoing partnership, resiliency, and advocacy in improving the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” said Rachel Davis, Southcoast Health Director of Community Benefits. “Their continuous assistance throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is highly valued and appreciated by Southcoast Health and the community.”

Southcoast partners with community-based organizations to reduce health disparities and provide improved access to care, through upstream strategies that are proactive and focused on improving long-term health outcomes across the region. To learn more about Southcoast Health’s community benefits programs, please visit Southcoast Cares – Southcoast Health.

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About Southcoast Health

Celebrating the system’s 25th anniversary in 2021, Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, charitable organization and the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region, serving communities in Rhode Island and across Southeastern Massachusetts. Southcoast Health is a Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospital in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Out of the 2,743 considered hospitals in the United States, only 250 earned this recognition. In 2020 and 2021, St. Luke’s is a Newsweek and Leapfrog’s Best Maternity Hospitals. US News ranks Southcoast 9th among hospitals in Massachusetts, and 2nd among those in the Providence Metro area. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Southcoast Health system also received several awards, including Best Hospitals and Best Place to Work, in SouthCoast Media Group’s Best of the Best Awards voted on by residents and readers.

With around 7,500 employees, Southcoast Health is the largest employer in Southeastern Mass., and one of the largest employers in the Commonwealth, according to the Boston Business Journal. Southcoast Health is proud of our mission of providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to our patients and proud of our tradition of eliminating the barriers that prevent access to care. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org. Connect to Southcoast Health through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Southcoast® is a registered trademark of Southcoast Health System.

Former senior executive paid $300,000 bribe to secure his daughter’s admission to the University of Southern California as a purported basketball recruit.

“A former senior gaming and hospitality executive was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his participation in a conspiracy to facilitate his daughter’s admission to the University of Southern California (USC) as a purported basketball recruit through bribery and fraud.

Gamal Abdelaziz, 65, of Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, 400 hours of community service and a fine of $250,000. On Oct. 8, 2021, Abdelaziz was convicted following a four-week jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and honest services mail fraud and wire fraud; and one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery.

In 2017, Abdelaziz agreed to pay a co-conspirator, William “Rick” Singer, $300,000 to facilitate the admission of Abdelaziz’s daughter to USC as a purported basketball recruit. At the time, Abdelaziz’s daughter had not played basketball in well over a year and she had never been a member of her high school’s varsity basketball team.

As part of the scheme, a co-conspirator created a basketball profile for Abdelaziz’s daughter which included a photo of a different athlete and listed falsified awards and athletic honors. Another co-conspirator who was employed in the USC athletic department, then used that fake profile to secure the admission of Abdelaziz’s daughter to USC as a purported basketball recruit. Abdelaziz later wired $300,000 to Singer’s sham charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, in exchange for the fraudulent admission.

Singer previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

Defendant provided AK-47 style rifle and 49 rounds of ammunition to cooperator.

“An associate of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty today to firearm and ammunition charges.

Derek Southworth, 34, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for May 19, 2022.

On April 18, 2017, Southworth provided an AK-47 style rifle and approximately 49 rounds of ammunition to a cooperating witness. The transaction was captured on audio-video recording. Due to a prior conviction, Southworth is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against dozens of leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Southworth is the 56th defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“A Westborough man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for trafficking contraband smokeless tobacco into Massachusetts.

Muhammad Mushtaq Balaparaya, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. In April 2021, Balaparaya pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in contraband smokeless tobacco.

Between February 2014 through April 2018, Balaparaya transported more than 500 units of contraband smokeless tobacco in violation of federal law. Balaparaya imported the contraband smokeless tobacco into Massachusetts from Pennsylvania, where he had obtained it. At no time was Balaparaya licensed to sell or distribute tobacco products in Massachusetts, nor had Balaparaya paid the required excise tax on the smokeless tobacco products that was seized from him.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the cases.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“A former U.S. Postal Service employee has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with stealing packages in Gardner.

Roberta Feliz, 32, of Fitchburg, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. A plea hearing is scheduled for March 15, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman.

According to the charging documents, from approximately February through August 2020, Feliz stole mail entrusted to her for delivery while a Postal Service employee in Gardner.

The charge of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“Just before 1 a.m. on Monday Trooper Christopher Browsky, assigned to State Police-Springfield, was patrolling Route 91 southbound in Springfield. At that time he observed a gray BMW X3 with expired license plates. Trooper Browsky activated his cruiser’s blue lights and stopped the vehicle in the area of the 6.8 mile marker.

Upon the vehicle coming to a full stop, Trooper Browsky approached it and identified the operator as JAMES DOUCHETTE, 42, of Chicopee. Trooper Browsky asked DOUCHETTE for his license, however, he informed the Trooper that he did not have one. Trooper Browsky confirmed DOUCHETTE’s license was suspended and removed him from the vehicle. It was also discovered DOUCHETTE had an active felony warrant for his arrest. DOUCHETTE was placed under arrest and secured in the rear of a cruiser. A tow truck was then requested to respond.

Prior to the BMW being towed from the scene Troopers conducted an inventory of its contents. During the inventory Troopers located a Drago 7.62mm rifle loaded with a total of 30 rounds of ammunition and a Glock 22 loaded with a total of 15 rounds of ammunition. The serial number on the rifle had been obliterated and unreadable while at the scene. DOUCHETTE does not have a license to carry firearms.

DOUCHETTE was transported to the Springfield Barracks for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $50,000. He was eventually transported to the Hampden County House of Correction to await his arraignment at Springfield District Court on the following charges:

01. Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, five counts;
02. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
03. Carrying Loaded Large Capacity Firearm, two counts;
04. Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm, two counts;
05. Deface Firearm Serial Number;
06. Illegal Possession of a Firearm, two counts;
07. Operating with a License Suspended for OUI; and
08. Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle.” -Massachusetts State Police.

“Our dear friend, Captain Paul Douglas, said goodbye to his retired partner, K9 Rony.

His passing comes after a courageous battle with cancer. K9 Rony, a Belgian Malinois, was a loyal partner for many years serving The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding communities.

After his retirement, Rony spent his remaining years being loved and spoiled by The Douglas Family. K9 Rony was eleven years old. K9 Rony your were a good boy. You can rest now; we have it from here. ? ? ?

“I always thought he lived for the sled. What he lived for, was me. If you’re around them long enough, they tend to get under your skin. If you were lucky enough to know a great one, they never really leave.

They stay with you as long as you live. Harnessed to your heart, giving their all.” – Disney’s Togo”-Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit.

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

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Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

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Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.