Methuen Mayor Requested Federal Corruption Probe Reopening
Mayor D.J. Beauregard asked the DOJ to revisit the city's police scandal following a city council approval.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Corruption
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Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard has officially requested that the Department of Justice reopen its federal investigation into local police corruption. Five city councilors supported the move to prompt federal authorities to examine unanswered questions regarding past municipal contracts.
Why it matters
Mayor Beauregard contends that significant concerns regarding the 2017 police contracts and other potential participants in the scandal were never resolved by the federal probe that closed last year. The request seeks further scrutiny into allegations that officials prioritized personal financial interests over the public interest.
Former Police Chief Joseph Solomon pleaded guilty to 17 state charges and served 30 days in the House of Correction. Meanwhile, a whistleblower lawsuit filed by Kaylee Baker remains active in Suffolk Superior Court.
The players
D.J. Beauregard
He is the current Mayor of Methuen who is spearheading the effort to reopen the federal investigation.
Joseph Solomon
He is the former Police Chief of Methuen who pleaded guilty to 17 state charges related to misuse of authority.
Sean Fountain
He is a former detective who defrauded the city out of $400,000 by faking his law enforcement credentials.
Kaylee Baker
She is a whistleblower who filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court regarding the department's misconduct.
Todd Blanche
He is the U.S. Attorney General who is expected to receive the formal request to reopen the investigation.
The details
The controversy centers on a 2017 City Council contract that established a high salary for the police chief, leading to the appointment of an untrained councilor as a detective. That individual, Sean Fountain, eventually pleaded guilty to faking credentials and defrauding the city, while a 2023 report by the STIRM Group detailed the broader scope of police misconduct.
Timeline
In February 2017, the City Council approved the contentious police chief contract.
The STIRM Group published its findings on police misconduct in May 2023.
Federal authorities officially closed their probe into the scandal in September 2024.
Whistleblower Kaylee Baker initiated a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court in 2025.
Joseph Solomon was sentenced for his criminal charges in September 2026.
Legal Context
The city's ongoing legal battle continues to reference the 2023 STIRM Group police misconduct report as the foundational evidence for current reform efforts. This request marks a direct escalation from the findings established in that document as the city seeks further accountability.
Residents may see continued legal and administrative activity as the city pushes for federal oversight of its police department. The ongoing whistleblower litigation could also result in future disclosures regarding municipal payroll and hiring practices.
The takeaway
Local officials are betting that federal intervention is necessary to address systemic gaps left by the initial DOJ investigation. Residents should monitor upcoming city council meetings for updates on the administration's correspondence with federal authorities.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing local investigations, visit the Corruption page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boston Herald.
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