John O'Brien

A former Massachusetts probation commissioner convicted of rigging the agency's hiring process to favor politically connected candidates has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge William Young sentenced John O'Brien on Thursday, saying ``every judge in Massachusetts'' must stand ``appalled'' by the extent of corruption in the state probation department revealed b

Closing arguments have started in the federal trial of former state probation commissioner John O'Brien and two deputies accused of rigging the agency's hiring process. O'Brien, William Burke and Elizabeth Tavares are accused of trying to curry favor with powerful lawmakers by funneling jobs to politically connected applicants at the expense of more qualified candidates...

The federal trial of former state probation Commissioner John O'Brien and two deputies could be heading to the jury soon. The prosecution rested its case Friday and the defense opted not to call any witnesses, including O'Brien. Close arguments are expected to begin Tuesday...

A federal judge has agreed to remove himself from the trial of former state probation commissioner John O'Brien and two ex-colleagues.       O'Brien, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke are accused in a federal indictment with rigging the hiring process at the probation department to favor candidates promoted by the powerful state lawmakers...