Aldermen demand accountability on theft of public money
By George P. Hassett

   The Board of Aldermen requested this week that Director of Traffic and Parking James Kotzuba update them on the investigation into a December theft of money from his department. Alderman-   At-Large and newly elected state Rep. Denise Provost, D-Somerville, said she made the request because the city‚Äôs aldermen are the guardians of its budget and the incident had disappeared from the public discourse.
   ‚ÄúI am not trying to get involved in law enforcement, but when public money has disappeared it behooves us as city officials to find out what has happened. It was news when the money disappeared but that was the last I heard of it. I have not been informed of any efforts to recover the money since the crime. And if {Kotzuba} doesn‚Äôt come, I will just ask again,‚Äù said Provost.

   Sometime between Dec. 8 and Dec. 12, an undisclosed theft of money took place at the 133 Holland St. office of the Traffic and Parking Department, said Lt. Paul Upton. Crooks made off with between $6,000 and $10,000 in cash and checks, said three city employees who wished to remain anonymous.
    Traffic and Parking employees were reportedly asked by police to take lie detector tests after the heist.
    In many cities the Traffic and Parking Department reports to the police but in Somerville, it reports directly to the mayor.
    Upton declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
    Provost‚Äôs order passed unanimously. Kotzuba‚Äôs report to the board could take place privately in executive session, she said.
    ‚ÄúThe intent was not to divulge details of an ongoing investigation to the public, but to inform the board of what is going on,‚Äù she said.
     Provost said if the city does learn who is responsible for the crime, re-payment of any stolen money should be sought.
     ‚ÄúWhen I used to work at City Hall, there had been a theft from the treasury department and the individual responsible set up a payment plan to re-pay the city. When public money has been stolen, it is only natural that the city seek restoration,‚Äù said Provost who worked as assistant city solicitor for in the 1980s.