District Attorney to Host Workshop on Organized Retail Crime and Financial Fraud

10:37AM / Friday, April 11, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. On Monday, April 14, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, in partnership with the New England State Police Information Network, will host a workshop addressing organized retail crime and financial fraud.

At the workshop, speakers will discuss organized retail crime, financial crime, organized retail crime legislation, and current frauds effecting Berkshire County businesses and banks.

Speakers include Ben Dugan, Executive Director for Central Investigations for CVS Health; Mark Solomon, International President of the International Association of Finance Crimes Investigations; Ryan Kearney, General Counsel for Retailers Association of Massachusetts; and Kelly Kemp, Second Assistant District Attorney at the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

The impetus of the conference was the concern over retail and financial crimes occurring in Berkshire County and across the country. These crimes effect both businesses and residents alike and threaten the financial well-being of the Berkshire Community. While many businesses have reported a decrease in retail crimes over the past two years, education regarding the crime trends and awareness is critical to continuing the reduction in organized retail crime and financial fraud in the Berkshires.

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.

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