Former Watertown Councilman Now Facing Federal Charges

A trio of local men accused of operating a large-scale marijuana growing operation in Waltham is now facing serious federal charges.

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted Thomas “Gus” Bailey, 49, of Watertown and Sharon, Clay Gollobin, 43, of Brookline, and Eric Falzon, 44, of Auburndale in Newton, on charges they were operating a pot-growing operation in Waltham, less than one mile from that city’s police headquarters, according to a  press release from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s office.

Each man faces a charge of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, while Bailey, a former Watertown Town Councilman, was also indicted on a count of distribution of marijuana.

The . The men were arrested immediately following the hearing.

If found guilty of the charges, the trio may have to forfeit some of their property including 68 Marshall St. in Watertown, 267-271 Lexington St. in Waltham, a total of $168,350 in cash, a 2003 Mini Cooper, a 2008 Honda Odyssey and a 2006 Lexus.

According to Attorney Jack Coffey, who represents Gollobin, only Bailey owns the Lexington Street property where authorities say the men grew marijuana.

According to the indictment, the trio had been running their operation since at least April of 2009.

Also, part of the money authorities seized, $68,350, was discovered at 68 Marshall St. in Watertown, which according to Watertown records, is co-owned by Bailey. The remaining $100,000 is money Bailey used to post bail after he was arrested in October. 

If any of the previously mentioned property cannot be located or is unavailable to federal authorities, the defendants may have to forfeit 12-14 Thurston Road in Watertown, according to the indictment.

Editor’s Note: A prior version of this story incorrectly reported all three defendants own 267-271 Lexington St., the alleged site of the marijuana-growing operation. Misleading land records provided by the state indicated all three men owned the site, but only Bailey owns the land.