Hamilton Man Convicted Of Trying To Steal Millions From Son's Estate

HAMILTON, MA — A Hamilton man accused of trying to steal millions of dollars from his estranged family through his deceased son's estate was convicted on seven counts of forgery and other fraud charges in Salem District Court on Tuesday.

John Donovan Sr., 80, was accused of forging 25 documents, including wills, deeds, land transfers and mortgages, at the Essex Registry of Deeds in 2016. Prosecutors said he forged the documents in an attempt to absolve himself of a Superior Court judgment against him, release himself from a mortgage, steal $5 million from his late son's estate and give himself access to grandchildren in his estranged family.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said witness testimony indicated that the deceased
son did not want his father to have anything to do with his family.

"The jury is to be commended for their hard work in understanding complicated evidence," Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. "The general public relies upon the integrity of documents filed with the Registry of Deeds. Thanks to the diligence and professionalism of
the staff at the Registry, who raised concerns about the documents filed by Mr. Donovan, this fraudulent scheme failed."

The jury took four hours to deliberate the guilty verdict after a 29-day trial.

Donovan Sr. was convicted of the seven counts of forgery, uttering a false document, false statement in a mortgage process, obtaining a signature by false pretense, false statement under penalty of perjury and an attempt to commit larceny.

"I am grateful to the Essex District Attorney's Office for pursuing this case, not only for justice for the Donovan children but also to protect the integrity of the recordation system," Southern Essex Registrar of Deeds John O'Brien said.