REVERE -A $3,600 watch, expensive clothes, office equipment are some the items city Library Director Robert E. Rice, Jr. allegedly bought for his own use with taxpayer money prior to be confronted Tuesday by city finance officials about the purchases.
“They had been watching him for some time through an ongoing investigation into misappropriation of funds,” City Council President Daniel Rizzo said Wednesday in explaining the circumstances leading to the 43-year-old Gore Road resident’s resignation.
Rice as of Wednesday morning had not been charged in connection with the investigation but police Capt. Michael Murphy said police are “in discussions with the (Suffolk) District Attorney’s office” and considering retaining an independent auditor to aid in the probe.
“I don’t think anyone else is a suspect at any level,” Murphy added.
Rice resigned Tuesday after municipal officials confronted him about “non library-related spending” that, Mayor Thomas Ambrosino said could result in criminal charges.
Attempts to reach Rice Wednesday morning were unsuccessful but Ambrosino said an ongoing investigation by city purchasing and auditing officials into library purchases accelerated last week and resulted in officials questioning Rice.
?These were things with no relevance to the function of the library,” said Ambrosino who did not immediately have a dollar amount associated with the purchases or know how long Rice had been making them.
Ambrosino said the investigation is now in the hands of police and did not know if or when charges would be filed.
?It’s the city’s goal now to recover any funds. From the city’s perspective, the damage has been halted,” Ambrosino said, adding library trustee Mark Ferrante is temporarily running the library while the investigation continues.
