WESTFIELD — Joseph Rouse has retired from his position as Westfield’s director of public health, according to his attorney Ray Zenkert. His decision came in the wake of an agreement to pay $11,507 in restitution to settle a prosecution for embezzling funds from his union.
“My understanding is that he has gone into retirement,” Zenkert said. “His retirement is being processed.”
Rouse had been on administrative leave since July 2023, the month he pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme for embezzling funds from the Westfield Professional Municipal Employees Association, of which he served as treasurer. Zenkert said he retired on or around Tuesday, Feb. 6, the day of his most recent Westfield District Court hearing.
