Former Methuen police arraigned on corruption and fraud charges

METHUEN, Mass — An embattled former Methuen police chief was arragined on a slew of corruption and fraud charges on Friday afternoon.

Joseph Solomon is now facing charges of perjury by written affidavit (2 counts), obtaining unwarranted privileges in violation of the civil service laws (7 counts), civil service law violations (6 counts), uttering a forged document (1 count) and procurement fraud (1 count), according to the U.S. Attorney General’s office.

Additionally, former Methuen police officer Sean Fountain faces charges of forgery (1 count), uttering a forged document (1count), perjury (1 count), procurement fraud (1 count), and a conflict of interest law violation (1 count).

An investigation by the AG’s office, done in conjunction with the Essex County District Attorney’s office, found that Solomon “misused his position of authority as police chief to repeatedly undermine the law for his own benefit” by hiring six part-time Methuen police officers, including Fountain, before appointing them to full-time roles.

The AG’s office also says Solomon made others believe that Fountain had graduated from a police academy when he had not.

Solomon pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on personal recognizance with the following conditions:

• Stay away/no contact with witnesses
• No out-of-state travel
• Not to possess any firearms, dangerous weapons, or other destructive devices
• Not to reside or overnight where firearms are stored
• Surrender passport to state police

Solomon was put on leave in December 2020 following a report from a state Inspector General that found irregularities in the way the city handled the contract that led to his $350,000 salary. He retired in 2021.

Both men are due back in court on Jan. 23 for their next hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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