Theft Charges Against Ally Of Lawrence Mayor

A municipal parking lot manager with ties to Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua has pleaded not guilty to charges he stole money from the city and performed campaign-related tasks for the mayor.

State police detectives, FBI agents and Lawrence police officers arrested 60-year-old Justo Garcia on Thursday. He was arraigned in Lawrence District Court on charges including larceny, fraud and unlawful receipt of substantial value by a municipal employee.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett says the operation is a result of an investigation. He did not say whether the probe targets Lantigua, but described its scope as including enhanced surveillance, with help from state police detectives, the FBI, Massachusetts attorney general's office and state inspector general.

Garcia declined to comment. He was released under several conditions.