Mayor Curtatone is calling for a fresh start and a fair chance for redemption for Cindy Hickey as she resumes her duties with the Council on Aging.

By Andrew Firestone

Following the release of a forensic independent audit, Council on Aging executive director Cindy Hickey has been cleared of any financial misdoings, and has returned to work. Hickey was found to have circumvented the financial process of the city by setting up a non-profit, called “Future Friends,” but did not benefit from the situation financially.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone said he was not pleased with the action, which city officials say should have gone through the city, but that she would be allowed to return to her job. Curtatone placed Hickey on paid leave in January after allegations arose of financial misdeeds.

“The forensic audit confirmed that no one in the Council of Aging, specifically Cindy Hickey or anyone related to her benefited financially,” said Curtatone. “Anything Cindy Hickey did was for the benefit of the seniors.”

“Notwithstanding that, she failed to follow certain procedures and protocols and as a result, I applied the adequate discipline as the City’s chief executive officer.”

Hickey was found to have funneled $667,000 into the non-profit, used to pay costs. Among the costs were 41 checks totaling $9,215.33 that may have not been used for Council of Aging activities directly.  Among other findings was evidence that she circumvented processes regulated by state-laws, and broke a law that prohibits using funds for alcohol and cigars.

“I want to stress that throughout this entire process, for once, Cindy Hickey has been honest,” said Curtatone.

The city commissioned the $17,000 audit that cleared Hickey enough so that the Middlesex District Attorney said he would not press charges.

Curtatone said that despite it all that he was pleased that Hickey was back on the job. “Cindy has been a dedicated employee for many years. I know that the seniors of the city are happy she’s back on,” he said.