Trial Begins For Ex-Lawrence Superintendent Accused Of Fraud
SALEM (CBS) - Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of former Lawrence school superintendent Wilfredo Laboy, who allegedly used school property and personnel for personal use.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports.
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"Wilfredo Laboy...abused his power, took advantage of his position, and took advantage of his employees," assistant district attorney Maureen Leal.
But, Laboy's attorney Scott Gleason said that his client took over a school system that was in shambles, and that he worked tirelessly to restore integrity to that system.
"Dr. Laboy was a virtual miracle man because of, and what he did, and his accomplishments, because he was as hard a working man for the public schools as anyone could even imagine," said Laboy.
However, former Lawrence school facilities director, Kevin McCarthy, testified that he sometimes drove Laboy's son Willie, who was in his 30's, to work at a pizza shop.
"He had lost his license, so I would transport him periodically to work," said McCarthy.
Attorney Gleason admitted that Laboy did ask school employees to drive around his son and grandchildren, pick up his trash and help with maintenance at his Methuen home. Gleason said Laboy did that only because he was working so hard for the school.
"Dr. Laboy was in central office working his butt off. He asked somebody to do something so he could continue his work," said Gleason.
Laboy, whose last day on the job was in May of 2009, is expected to testify later in the trial.
