Meet John Barranco: Bully, Embezzler and “Educator”

If you missed Sunday’s paper, you should go check out the Boston’s Globe‘s spotlight on John Barranco. He’s the executive director of a non-profit who is accused of using millions of state dollars, intended for disabled kids, to live a jet-setter’s life. Some estimates of this theft exceed $30 million. It’s staggering.

He famously threatened one of my colleagues in the historic Massachusetts State House by yelling,  “I’ll rip your fucking head off and shove it down your throat.” Far too many exchanges with Mr. Barranco took on the feel of scenes  from Goodfellas. When I knew him, he was a scary, mean, egotistical, opportunistic, visionary but selfish man.

One of the most reasonable men I know had this to say of John:

“I’ve never encountered anyone so crass, so boorish, so incapable of sitting down and working something out. He was like a mad bull snorting and pawing at the turf.”

Amazingly, what brought him down was bullying his wife with a lawsuit intended to harass her during their divorce. This exposed the details of their estate, which the State’s Inspector General used to pick up on a trail of what is now described as staggering case of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.

Greg Nadeau, the colleague who Barranco threatened, said in the Globe article that he was surprised it took so long for the State to catch up with Barranco. 

The wheels of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

If you get the chance, check the Globe’s article.

4 Responses to "Meet John Barranco: Bully, Embezzler and “Educator”"

  • […] school district. Yet, depending on the source you follow, money in the range of 10.5 million to 30 million dollars has been stolen from taxpayers and used for personal gain instead of its intended purpose. […]

  • […] better for all. The local bell operating company (now Verizon) partnered with a non-profit whose leaders are still under various levels of investigation or indictment for embezzling nearly as much money as […]

  • Juliete

    July 18, 2015

    It’s great to read something that’s both enjoyable and provides pradiatmsgc solutions.

  • Paula Whelan

    April 15, 2021

    I live a few houses away from this guy on Lake Winnipesaukee. He’s horrid!! Always screaming and swearing at us as we go by on our paddleboards and kayaks. He’s completely unhinged, a perv, and delights in scaring children.

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