Treasurer Embezzled Thousands From New Canaan Masonic Lodge, Police Say

NEW CANAAN, CT — The former treasurer of the Masonic Lodge on Main Street in New Canaan was arrested on a charge of first-degree larceny early Wednesday after police said he embezzled more than $54,000 from the Freemason facility over a four-year period.

Norwalk resident Joseph M. McBride, 62, turned himself into police custody at about 7 a.m. after being notified of the active warrant.

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According to New Canaan police, representatives from the lodge filed a complaint on April 5 that they had discovered that funds were missing from its bank account.

"The New Canaan Police Investigative Section conducted an investigation into the initial complaint by the Masonic Lodge and discovered that from 2012-2016, McBride, who was the Treasurer of the Lodge, had used a debit card drawing on the funds of the Masonic Lodge bank account without authorization," wrote police in a statement.

He allegedly used the funds to make "purchases totaling over $54,000.00 for personal use" during that four-year period.

McBride was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, and he was scheduled to be arraigned in Norwalk Superior Court on Wednesday.

Photo: Joseph M. McBride. Photo credit: New Canaan Police Department