Nice work if you can get away with it

The Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the arraignment of Johanna Simisky, a 46-year-old Shrewsbury woman, on charges that she fraudulently collected more than $10,000 in unemployment checks. The case was heard in Westboro District Court last week and, according to court records, Simisky illegally collected benefits during a 28-week period in 2006. Simisky, who lives at 57 Maury Lane, had originally filed her claim with the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in December, 2005. She had been laid off from Techlink Systems Inc. According to court documents, Simisky started to receive benefits in January, 2006. At the same time, she was also hired by the UMass Memorial Medical Group, working a full-time position with the company. It was also discovered that she also took a part-time job at the Stop & Shop on Rte. 9 in Shrewsbury. DUA alleges that Simisky disclosed only a portion of the Stop & Shop earning but had not disclosed her full-time position at UMass. The agency stated that over the 28 weeks, Simisky had collected $11,766. The Chronicle reported that she has been charged with 28 counts of unemployment fraud and one count of larceny valued at more than $250. According to court records, she is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 23.

What’s the charge?

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, an unidentified man left a voicemail message on a Marlboro District Court employee’s phone, threatening to blow up the building. Joan Kenney, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Trial Court, said “There was a call left on an employee voicemail at 8 a.m.” After the call, officials immediately evacuated the building and notified the Massachusetts State Police and the Marlboro Fire Department. The incident was first covered by The MetroWest Daily News, which reported that police cars and fire trucks lined area streets for nearly three hours “while the State Police bomb squad searched the building.” Kenney also stated that after a thorough search of the building, authorities determined there was no bomb and people were allowed back to work. Adding, “Trial Court security is well-prepared to handle these types of situations.” According to State police statements, troopers assigned to the state Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the case to determine who made the phone call. o

All information taken from public records, published accounts and court proceedings.