Norwood ex-sheriff's deputy to serve 20 months for jail workers' free home repairs

Thomas Brady of Norwood will serve a 20-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal charges related to his time as a deputy at the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office. The sentence was handed down Monday in federal court. Brady, who formerly worked for the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, admitted to compelling subordinates to perform personal maintenance at his residence.

Brady also received two years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. He is scheduled to begin his incarceration in January. Records indicate that Brady is currently collecting a pension of more than $6,000 per month. His guilty plea places that income in jeopardy, as Massachusetts law allows retired public workers to forfeit pensions if convicted of a crime directly related to their positions.

The case originated from reporting by NBC10 Boston Investigators in 2023. Their Small Town Secrets series examined allegations that Brady had jail employees work at his house during their shifts. Mike Ramponi, a licensed plumber who left the department earlier that year, stated he was pulled off shift in 2022 to complete a repair job at Brady's home. Ramponi said he felt uncomfortable leaving his post but complied because the boss instructed him to do so.

Following the media coverage, Brady stepped down from his position last year. He had a salary of $142,000 and was reportedly about to be dismissed. Federal agents subsequently brought charges against him for forcing staff to do personal work. As part of his plea agreement, Brady acknowledged pressuring employees to perform free plumbing and electrical services.

Prosecutors also charged Brady with witness tampering. They found that he launched a smear campaign against individuals involved in the investigation. This included an anonymous letter sent to a school attended by a minor relative of a whistleblower. In the letter, Brady falsely accused the employee of sexually molesting the child. The school reported the letter to the Department of Children and Families, which opened an emergency investigation. Investigators later traced fingerprints on the letter back to Brady.

During Monday's sentencing, Brady apologized to his wife and family. He did not address the victims directly. The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office issued a statement after the ruling. The office said it cooperated fully with the U.S. Attorney's Office. The statement called the details described by victims abhorrent and asserted that the corrections profession is defined by integrity, not by those who fail to meet those standards.

Brady is the second law enforcement official convicted on federal charges following the NBC10 Boston investigation. Former Stoneham Police Sgt. Robert Kennedy pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2023 after the same series reported on his history of evictions and unpaid civil judgments.