An Edgartown man charged last year with stealing more than $50,000 from his employer was placed on long-term probation and a assigned long-term plan to repay the money, after pleading guilty in Edgartown district court last week.
Patrick A. Joyce, 27, pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny more than $250 by a single scheme. He was ordered to pay $35,858.52 in restitution, attend two Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week and remain drug and alcohol-free. He was ordered to make monthly payments of $439.30 towards his restitution and made a $9,500 payment on Feb. 4. He was placed on probation until Feb. 6, 2019.
In 24 separate cases, 24 counts of forgery of a check and 24 counts of uttering a false check were dismissed upon request of the commonwealth.
According to a police report filed in court at the time of arraignment last year, Mr. Joyce was employed as a sound and road manager for Jerry Bennett, who is president of Jerry Bennett Entertainment LLC and band leader of the Sultans of Swing. In February 2013, Mr. Bennett told the Oak Bluffs police that Mr. Joyce had allegedly stolen $50,181 from the company between December 2011 and May 2012.
Police said Mr. Joyce had access to company credit and debit cards, company checks and the company accounting system. Police said a large number of suspicious transactions were found in the form of checks payable to Mr. Joyce or credit card transactions that were abnormal or unauthorized. Mr. Bennett allegedly told police that Mr. Joyce was remorseful and agreed to work off the amount owed, and did so from June to November. According to police, Mr. Joyce stopped returning Mr. Bennett’s calls in early November, with $35,858 allegedly still owed.
If Mr. Joyce is able to complete all terms without any violations, he may file a motion to revise and revoke his status as a felon, which will not be contested by the commonwealth.
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