Pepperell Selectmen Order Independent Probe of Payroll Fraud Allegations Against Former Administrator

PEPPERELL — December 3, 2018 — Pepperell selectmen voted 2-1 to commission an independent investigation into payroll fraud allegations against the town's former administrator. Selectman Faralito made the motion, arguing the town had "dropped the ball" by relying on reviews by two outside law firms that found no wrongdoing, rather than ordering a formal independent probe. Town Administrator Andrew McLean called the expenditure "ludicrous," noting that both firms had concluded the flat 40-hour timesheet entries at issue are standard practice for salaried exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The board approved the motion over McLean's objection and directed him to return with qualifications from three categories of potential investigators — outside law firms, background investigation firms, and public-sector accounting firms — for board approval before any hire is made. On a separate front, McLean warned the board that a soil reclamation project could advance without a state administrative consent order under a preemptive state law, and the board directed him to follow up with special counsel on a long-delayed written opposition letter to the DEP.