Kevin Ryder, the former director of the Medfield, Massachusetts Parks and Recreation Department, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2025, to stealing roughly $125,000 in public funds over his eight years running the department. A Norfolk County Superior Court judge sentenced him to two and a half years in the House of Correction, with six months to serve and the balance suspended for three years of probation.1Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General’s Office Secures Guilty Plea From Former Medfield Town Official
How He Stole From the Town
Ryder served as director from December 2014 until August 2022. During that stretch he used several methods to take money from Medfield.
The largest piece involved cash from the Medfield Hinkley Swim Pond. Ryder collected entrance fees and concession money and simply failed to report and turn over the cash, year after year.
He also ran purchases through the town’s Amazon business account for his own benefit, buying electronic devices that he then resold on eBay and merchandise that supported a personal side business. Separately, he sold youth sports equipment the town had paid for and kept the proceeds.
The most structured scheme involved a local gym where the Parks and Recreation Department sponsored an exercise program identified in court documents as CrossFit. Ryder arranged for the department to help fund the program and then personally pocketed kickbacks worth 50 percent of the gym’s profits from it, totaling more than $16,000.
How the Case Came to Light
Town officials grew suspicious that Ryder was not turning over cash his department collected and referred the matter to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s office opened an investigation with the Office of the Inspector General and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the office.
On October 5, 2023, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Ryder, then 49 and living in North Attleborough, on eight counts: four counts of larceny over $1,200 by scheme, two counts of use of official position to secure an unwarranted privilege, one count of larceny under $1,200, and one count of accepting illegal gratuities.2Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Indictments Announced Against Former Medfield Town Official for Stealing Funds and Corruption
The Plea and Sentence
Nearly two years after the indictment, Ryder pleaded guilty to all eight charges in Norfolk County Superior Court. Judge Michael Doolin sentenced him the same day to two and a half years in the House of Correction, with six months to serve and the remainder suspended during a three-year probationary period.3The Sun Chronicle. Former Medfield Rec Director Sentenced for Stealing Over $100K
As conditions of probation, the judge ordered Ryder to pay $85,547.46 in restitution to the Town of Medfield and barred him from holding any job involving fiduciary responsibility while on probation.1Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General’s Office Secures Guilty Plea From Former Medfield Town Official The AG’s investigation concluded that Ryder had stolen about $125,000 in total; the roughly $85,500 restitution figure is what the court ordered him to repay.3The Sun Chronicle. Former Medfield Rec Director Sentenced for Stealing Over $100K Ryder was 51 at sentencing.4The Sun Chronicle. Ex-Medfield Rec Director Sentenced for Stealing Over $100K