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An entrance to the underground Boston Common garage is shown in this January 2010 file photo. The 1960s urban renewal project turned into a major corruption scandal.
What: Boston Common garage scandal
When: July 12, 1963
Where: Suffolk County Superior Court
- A Suffolk County jury found Massachusetts Parking Authority Vice Chairman Joseph Monahan Jr. and construction engineer Francis W. Kiernan guilty of conspiracy and larceny of $344,000 related to the $9.6 million Boston Common garage project.
- During the 32-day trial, prosecutors said money paid to a New York consulting firm instead went to the defendants.
- Jurors were sequestered at the Parker House to avoid noise from the construction of Government Center, and they rang up $5,671 in meal tabs at the Golden Dome restaurant, the Boston Globe reported.
“Kiernan… made several attempts to conceal his scheme by composing a number of false letters and documents to lend an illusion of authenticity to his relationship with the [Massachusetts Parking] Authority. The evidence indicates that Kiernan carried through his illicit arrangements by submitting to the Authority a series of invoices which falsely represented that certain work had been done.”
— Charging documents in Commonwealth vs. Joseph W. Monahan, Jr.
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Banker & Tradesman is highlighting significant moments in the history of Massachusetts’ real estate and banking industries. To suggest a topic, email editorial@thewarrengroup.com.
