2012-03-12Special Meeting
Beverly Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 4
From: Kathy Connolly [kconnolly @beverlyma.gov]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 6 :21 PM
To: Jim Latter; Don Martin; pguanci @beverlyma.gov; jsilva @beverlyma.gov; sdullea @beverlyma.gov; Brett
Schetzsle; mtroubetaris @beverlyma.gov; wslate @beverlyma.gov; shouseman @beverlyma.gov;
minutes @beverlyma.gov; BETTERGOV1 @aol.com
Subject: 3- 12- 12sp.doc
Special Meeting
Beverly City Council 8:00 PM MARCH 12,2011
Roll Call: Councilors Present: Paul Guanci, Jason Silva, Scott Dullea, Maureen Troubetaris, D. Wesley Slate, Jr., James
Latter, Scott Houseman, Donald Martin, Brett Schetzsle
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: yea b councilor Silva
Public Hearings and Public Speakers:
#48 - A
Call for Special Meeting of March 12, 2012
Communications from His Honor the Mayor:
Communications from other City Offices:
#48
Communication: Chief Mark Ray re:
February 21, 2012
February 14, 2012
Honorable Councilors
City of Beverly
191 Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
The Beverly Police Department respectfully requests that the Beverly City Council revoke the
second hand dealer's license previously granted to George Maroskos and JGM Numismatics
Investments, located at 284 Cabot Street, for violating Section 12 of Beverly City Ordinances.
On several occasions, the Beverly Police Department determined that Mr. Maroskos conducted
business in a manner which has aided criminal activity, misled police investigations, and
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prevented crime victims from recovering valuable property stolen from them.
In the most recent January 30, 2012 case (237316), Beverly Police assisted Hamilton Police
investigating thefts from a Hamilton home of several thousand dollars in precious metals and stones.
During five transactions over a three week period, the thief sold many of the stolen items to Mr.
Maroskos. During the course of these transactions, Mr. Maroskos failed to obey the Beverly City
Ordinances by:
1. Failing to require a proper identification
2. Failing to photograph valuables
3. Failing to properly document the transactions
4. Failing to forward the transaction information to the Beverly Police Department
5. Failing to hold the valuables for thirty (30) days, and
6. Failing to maintain the valuables in their original condition
The investigating officer wrote in the official report, "Mr. Maroskos actions in this matter prove to be
devastating and irreparable to this criminal investigation. His blatant violation of the city ordinance has
led to the destruction of evidence in a criminal investigation and has also suffered the victim a total loss
of her heirloom property."
The Beverly Police Department with the District Attorney's office have filed criminal charges against
Mr. Maroskos under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 268 -13b for Misleading a Police Investigation
in this case.
This is not a first instance in which Mr. Maroskos has ignored or failed to adhere to the licensing
requirements mandated by this Council.
On September 20, 2011 case (229349), Detective Liacos delivered a revised second hand dealers
ordinance, in hand, to Mr. Maroskos after he failed to report transactions for twenty (20) days.
On February 4, 2011 case (214779), Beverly Police assisted Salem Police investigating the theft of
forty -five (45) sterling silver bars. Mr. Maroskos had purchased a number of the stolen sterling silver
bars and failed to report the transaction to the Beverly Police. The investigators were unable to recover
the stolen items.
On January 30, 2009 case (168894), Beverly Police assisted Danvers Police investigating the theft of
twenty -two (22) one ounce gold Krugerrands. Mr. Maroskos bought 14 of the stolen Krugerrands, never
reported the transactions, and disposed of them prior to the thirty (30) day hold requirement.
On November 6, 2008 case (164311), Beverly Police Detective Ganey assisted the Gloucester Police in
the investigation of a stolen 7.5 karat diamond ring, valued at approximately $100,000. Mr. Maroskos
denied any knowledge of the ring or the suspected thief. The thief later confessed to bringing the ring to
JGM Numismatics Investments and negotiating with Mr. Maroskos. Mr. Maroskos arranged for the ring
to be brokered to a third party. The diamond was later returned to the victims, only after the District
Attorney agreed not to criminally prosecute Mr. Maroskos or the third party broker.
Under Section 12 of Beverly City Ordinances, every licensee shall keep a permanent record detailing the
transaction, require photo identification, and make and maintain a photograph of all items purchased.
All items are required to be held in the condition received for the duration of the retention period of
thirty (30) days.
Licensees are further required to forward electronically, not later than Friday of every week, a copy of
such entry to the Beverly Police Department. All transactions are required to be open to the inspection
of the Mayor, the City Council or any individual city councilor, and police officers of the City of
Beverly.
By granting a business a license to buy and sell items that are frequently targeted by criminals, our
community has a right to expect that the owner will conduct himself in a manner which obeys the
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ordinance, and that he will act to assist this community in deterring criminal activity.
No community has the resources to oversee every transaction of such a business. Businesses licensed to
buy and sell valuable metals and precious stones must cooperate 100% of the time.
Mr. Maroskos' actions clearly demonstrate an attempt to circumvent the rules established to discourage
criminal activity and to protect victims of crime. His actions have made it more difficult for police to
successfully conclude investigations into residential breaks and thefts, and have prevented crime victims
from recovering valuables and heirlooms stolen from their homes.
Beverly City Ordinances clearly provides that, "the City Council may revoke such licenses at its
pleasure." The Beverly Police Department respectfully requests that the honorable City Council revoke
the license of JGM Numismatics Investments.
Very truly yours,
Mark A. Ray
Chief of Police
NOTICE OF HEARING
2012
BY HAND DELIVERY
February 21, 2012
George Maroskos
d /b /a J G M Numismatic Investments
284A Cabot Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Mr. Maroskos:
Take NOTICE that on Monday, March 12,2012, at _8:OOP.M. the City Council of the City of
Beverly acting as licensing authority under G. L. Chapter 140 §54 and the Revised Ordinances of the
City of Beverly Sec. 12, ARTICLE IV will conduct a hearing in City Council Chambers, 3 rd Floor City
Hall 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA as to why a JUNK DEALER'S LICENSE (Number 2011 -5)
previously issued to you should not be revoked. The reasons for possible revocation are as outlined in a
letter from the City of Beverly Chief of Police to the City Council dated February 14, 2012, a copy of
which is attached hereto and in its entirety is incorporated herein by reference.
You have the right at this hearing to speak or to have others speak on your behalf and the right to
have an attorney represent you. Should you fail to appear at the hearing, the City Council shall proceed
to determine the status of your license in your absence.
City Council
City of Beverly
By:
4/5/2012
Special Meeting
Kathleen Connolly
City Clerk
Communications, Applications and Petitions:
Reports from Committees:
#48
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The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of communication from Police Chief, Mark Ray relative to the revocation
of Second Hand Junk Dealers License #2011 -5 (JGM Numismatics Investments — 284A Cabot St. have considered said matter and beg
leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That by a roll call vote — all Councilors voting in the affirmative to revoke the Second Hand Junk Dealers License immediately for
JGM Numismatic Investments of 284A Cabot St.
Order read once and adopted 9 -0 Vote
Unfinished Business:
Motions and Orders:
Motion for reconsideration of Order # 48 Councilor Slate 2" Councilor Latter
All in favor (0) All opposed (9) Motion fails 9.0 by Roll Call Vote
Minutes of Hearing by Professional Court Reporter — William Beaupre
On file with Council Order #48 in the City Clerk's Office
Meeting adjourned: 11:40PM Attest: Kathleen P. Connolly, CMC
City Clerk
4/5/2012