Corruption Watchlist – October 2024

We are sending love and strength to all of our listeners and friends who were affected by Hurricane Helene and those in the path of Hurricane Milton. 

This month, we are discussing updates on the death investigation of Sandra Birchmore in Massachusetts, a Virginia public official convicted for stealing over $5 million in public funds, and the impact of Sonya Massey’s death in Sangamon County, Illinois. 

Update on Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation, Stoughton, MA 

According to the federal indictment, Sandra Birchmore, 23, was allegedly killed by disgraced Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell after he discovered she was pregnant with his child.

According to a Decertification Order, the internal investigation also found former officer William Farwell, Matthew Farwell’s twin brother, violated department policies by having inappropriate sexual contact with Birchmore when she was an adult, misleading investigators, exchanging sexually explicit text messages with Birchmore on duty while she was an adult, and performing unauthorized searches on restricted databases outside of his duties. 

On Sept. 24, The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission announced William’s voluntary decertification. Part of the agreement waives all William’s rights to contest in any proceedings where the police commission may be a party, and permanently revokes his law enforcement certification.

According to the federal indictment, available here, Matthew Farwell allegedly began an illegal sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was 15-years-old. 

Birchmore was discovered deceased in her Canton apartment from what officials ruled a death by suicide on Feb. 4, 2021. However, former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell was recently arrested and federally charged with Birchmore’s murder.

The sexual relationship allegedly continued until her death in 2021. You can hear more about this in Cup of Justice Episode 96 and Episode 97 and True Sunlight Podcast Episode 64.

The federal indictment alleges that several of these sexual encounters occurred inside Farwell’s police vehicle while he was on duty and receiving wages. 

Following his federal indictment, the District Court of Massachusetts filed a memorandum requesting that Farwell stay in detention while he awaits trial due to, “a serious risk that, if released, the defendant will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice.”

You can read more about the allegations in July’s Corruption Watchlist 

Officials Accused of Stealing Over $20 million from Public Funds, Front Royal, VA 

The Front-Royal Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA), a public entity created to support local businesses, accused 14 individuals of embezzling over $20 million in a 2019 civil lawsuit. So far, one individual has been charged federally and found guilty.  

Jennifer McDonald, the former executive director of the EDA was found guilty in federal court of the following in November 2023:

• 7 counts of wire fraud
• 6 counts of bank fraud
• 16 counts of money laundering
• 1 count of aggravated identity theft.

According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), McDonald stole over $5 million from EDA funds, using the accounts as her “personal piggy bank” since 2014. 

Evidence was presented during the trial showing McDonald used over $2.4 million to gamble. The stolen funds were also used to finance McDonald’s real estate and personal purchases, according to The DOJ. 

According to The Northern Virginia Daily, McDonald was accused of stealing a local developer’s identity to purchase property. The local developer, named Curt Tran, received a $10 million loan from EDA to create the first commercial development on a new site. 

The EDA’s lawsuit claims Tran illegally obtained the loan, although his defense stated it was legitimate. Another individual named in the lawsuit was former Warren County Sheriff Daniel McEathron, who was found deceased in his home four days after McDonald’s arrest. 

The lawsuits were later dropped in March 2024 following McDonald’s conviction. 

McDonald began her 14 year federal prison sentence in mid August following a nine week jury trial.

Sonya Massey’s Death & Impact, Woodside Township, IL 

Sangamon County officials recently announced a citizen’s commission, called The Massey Commission, following the tragic killing of Sonya Massey, 36, at the hands of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Sean Grayson.

You can watch the body cam footage here or listen to Mandy’s Premium NewsBreak here. Listener and viewer discretion advised. 

The Massey Commission was created in response to the public outcry following Massey’s death. The commission is “committed to leading a process for the community to listen, learn and act,” according to the county’s website. 

In late September, county officials named two new co-chairs of the commission: Massey’s cousin Shadia Massey and JoAnn Johnson, who has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement. Another member of the Massey family, Shontae Massey, was named as a commissioner along with 11 others. 

The commission has also named members of the following working groups:

1. Law enforcement hiring, training, wellness and cultural competency
2. Integrated mental health services and emergency response (working group)
3. Community education on public health and safety (working group)
4. Economic disparities and service accessibility (working group)

The announcement follows a Sept. 16 meeting where over 20 county residents expressed their goals for the commission.

Former deputy Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Illinois State Police also determined Grayson was not justified with his use of his firearm. 

According to CNN, Grayson was discharged from the army in 2016 following a “serious offense.” He also pleaded guilty to two DUIs in 2015 and 2016, the AP reports.