BOSTON (WWLP) - A Massachusetts attorney working as a bookkeeper for three different companies was arrested and charged with embezzling around $2.5 million from the companies. Massachusetts man pleads guilty to role in New England’s biggest-ever drug bust at a single location Between January 2016 and May 2020, 74-year-old David Smerling of Lexington allegedly embezzled the companies by moving funds from their bank accounts to separate accounts in his name. To keep his scheme hidden, he allegedly moved some of the funds through an intermediary account that was owned by one of the victims before moving them to his accounts. It is also alleged that Smerling caused statements from the bank statements to be mailed to his home address and not the victims' addresses. Smerling was charged by complaint with wire fraud. He was arrested on Tuesday and was released on conditions. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Local News Headlines Springfield Boys and Girls Club raises over $300,000 in Festival of Trees event Healey expands scope of Massachusetts shelter law shakeup Multiple crews worked to put out a shed fire in Russell Springfield nonprofit recognizes Monson Savings Bank with certificate of appreciation WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.