John O’Brien, Convicted Probation Dept. Chief, Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

 

Former Massachusetts Probation Department chief John O’Brien was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Thursday for creating a hiring scheme in which he gave jobs to politically powerful employees in exchange for favors. He also was fined $25,000 and was sentenced to one year of supervised release.

In July, O’Brien was convicted of four counts of mail fraud, and one count of racketeering and conspiracy to engage in racketeering. Federal prosecutors had recommended O’Brien receive 70 months — just shy of six years — in prison for leading the rigged hiring scheme and abusing public trust.

July’s trial also found top aide Elizabeth Tavares guilty of mail fraud, racketeering, and conspiracy. A third employee in the department, deputy William Burke III, was found guilty of conspiracy.

Tavares was sentenced to 3 months in prison, and Burke was given probation on Thursday. Each was also fined $10,000.

Prosecutors recommended both receive five-year sentences. Lawyers for Tavares and Burke requested that their clients be sentenced to probation.

Since being convicted, O’Brien has received an outpouring of support from family, friends, and former colleagues. Shortly after the guilty verdict, Mayor Marty Walsh said that he didn’t think O’Brien was guilty and called the case “a little bizarre.”