Ex-Chair of Massachusetts Select Board Accused of Committing Fraud in Cannabis Business

Former Grafton Town Official Arrested on Federal Fraud Charges for Misusing Funds

Bruce W. Spinney III, a former chairman of the Grafton Board of Selectmen, was arrested on Friday on federal fraud charges for allegedly soliciting hundreds of thousands of dollars for his marijuana company and using the money to pay off debts. Spinney, 49, was indicted on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conducting an unlawful monetary transaction.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Spinney resigned from office in August 2019 and then solicited investors for his new marijuana dispensary venture, Noble Manna Inc. He promised to use the funds for licensure and construction but instead used the money to pay down debts for his linen business and rental business.

Prosecutors allege that Spinney also conducted an unlawful monetary transaction in March 2020 by using the proceeds of the wire fraud scheme to pay off a debt related to his rental business. Spinney appeared in federal court in Worcester and was released with conditions.

If convicted, Spinney faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges and up to 10 years for the unlawful monetary transaction charge. He also faces fines of $250,000 for each wire fraud count.

Spinney, who served on the Board of Selectmen for five years before resigning, left his position just before his company was set to ask for a host community agreement with Grafton to open a marijuana company in town. The case has shocked the community and raised questions about the misuse of public trust for personal gain.