Former FreeLake PTO treasurer and Assonet man arraigned on embezzlement, conspiracy charges

LAKEVILLE — Following an investigation by the Lakeville Police Department, two Assonet men were arraigned Wednesday for embezzlement allegations in connection to funds reported missing by the Freetown-Lakeville Middle School Parent Teacher Organization. 

Former PTO treasurer Zachary Granville-Wilmot faces forgery of a check, uttering of a false check, embezzlement over $250 and conspiracy charges. His husband James Granville-Wilmot is charged with conspiracy. 

The case was assigned to Detective Robert Schiffer after the parent organization informed the police department of missing funds Aug. 22. He discovered over $15,000 in fraudulent transactions occurred between May and June. 

Katelyn Martin, of Lakeville, became the organization’s president July 1. According to a police report, she noticed suspicious activity in the PTO’s account shortly after beginning her role. 

Schiffer said in his report two checks — one for $8,920.00 and one for $6,563.17 — were written and deposited by Zachary Granville-Wilmot, and bore what appeared to be the signature of former co-treasurer Lisa McLaughlin. After examining handwriting samples from McLaughlin and an analysis by the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office, the detective determined the signatures on the checks were forged. 

One of these checks was made out to James Granville-Wilmot, who served as the volunteer coordinator for the PTO. 

Martin also found a suspicious withdrawal in the amount of $1,018.00. The report states in a phone interview, Zachary Granville-Wilmot claimed the withdrawal — paid to DepositLink, a real-estate payment software — was mistakenly taken from the PTO account instead of his personal account. 

He also claimed the two checks were reimbursements for purchases he had made on behalf of the PTO. He said he purchased supplies and decorations for an eighth grade social that were unneeded after the organization changed the event’s theme. 

However, according to the police report both McLaughlin and former President Amy Sypher denied his involvement in preparing for the social or that the theme was ever changed, and said a reimbursement check would never be for such large amounts. 

Criminal complaints against the two men were issued Sept. 5 in Wareham District Court. 

According to The Standard-Times, both men were released Wednesday on personal recognizance — meaning they did not have to post bail but signed an agreement to appear at all future court dates.

They are due back in court Oct. 31 for a pre-trial hearing.