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Crime & Safety

Court Officer Gets Probation after Pleading Guilty to Fraud Charges

A Barnstable court officer will serve five years of probation for charges that he conned five Cape residents out of more than $70,000.

 

Paul F. O’Connell, 61, pleaded guilty to three counts of larceny of more than $250 two counts of larceny of more than $250 on a person 60 or older, according to the Cape Cod Times.

O’Connell faced up to 35 years in prison for the charges, but will serve five years of probation and will pay $45,384 in restitution to the victims as part of his plea deal.

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O’Connell was accused of using several schemes to con residents out of money. O'Connell told one victim that he could help her get a job as a court officer for $1,500, he asked another for $20,000 to invest in a false glass business.

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