The Norfolk Superior Court in a Judgment dated October 1, 2025 entered a Decision and Order in favor of Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. This ruling in the Norfolk Superior Court against County Commissioner Quincy Attorney Peter H. Collins from Milton, County Commissioner Joseph P. Shea from Quincy and former Canton Selectman and Attorney County Commissioner Richard R. Staiti and other officials of Norfolk County was part of a second law suit that William P. O'Donnell as Register of Deeds had to bring on behalf of those who use the Registry as well as the residents and taxpayers of Norfolk County. 
Another County Law Suit: Register Wins Again
This October 1, 2025 Judgment confirms a Decision and Order dated June 28, 2024 by another Norfolk Superior Court Judge ruling for the Register of Deeds see the judgment at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Judgment-10-1-25-from-Judge-Leighton.pdf.
The Norfolk County Defendants acted in direct defiance of general laws and statutes intended to protect and preserve the operations of the Registry of Deeds. The Norfolk Superior Court in both the Decision and Order dated June 28, 2024 as well as the Judgment dated October 1, 2025 concluded the defendants have violated Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64D, Section 11 and Section 12. Judge Cloutier wrote "The plain language of these statutes clearly establishes two mandatory and distinct sources of funding exclusively for the Registry, with no temporal limitations on the Registry's use of the funds."
"This win in the Norfolk Superior Court will help ensure the recording of legal land documents that give homeowners title to their homes and that the services Registry users have come to expect from the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will continue. No elected or appointed County Officials are above the law" said Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell.
This ruling for the Norfolk Registry of Deeds strikes down the illegal taking by the County Defendants and misappropriation of monies initiated by the Norfolk County Commissioners. This litigation tries to halt the unlawful interference into Registry operations coupled with the misappropriation of millions of dollars in a strategy quarterbacked by County Director John J. Cronin and supported by elected and appointed officials including the three Norfolk County Commissioners. County Director John J. Cronin was hired by the three Norfolk County Commissioners in 2021.
The decision and policies of County Director John J. Cronin and the three Norfolk County Commissioners have led to the law suits that have been filed. The Norfolk Superior Court Judge wrote "While not dispositive the court notes that prior to 2020, the County's interpretation of the statutes was largely consistent with the court's interpretation."
"The actions of the Norfolk County Commissioners are not in the best interest of the residents and the taxpayers. Taxpayer monies are not being spent wisely by the Norfolk County Commissioners" stated Register O'Donnell. The Norfolk County Commissioners, two of the three are attorneys, have spent over a half million dollars in legal fees to justify and defend their illegal decisions, votes and actions. Register O'Donnell argued the case that led to the October 1, 2025 Judgement by representing himself as Register on behalf of all Registry users as well as the taxpayers and residents of Norfolk County.
With Register O'Donnell trying this litigation pro se or on his own no Registry legal fees had to be paid by the taxpayers when there is not an attorney representing the Registry of Deeds. However, the Norfolk County Commissioners continue to spend taxpayers monies to pay Attorney Scott Lopez of the Boston Law Firm of Lawson and Weitzen who represents the Norfolk County Defendants.
Register Bill O'Donnell stated "I along with Registry staff and Registry operations have been retaliated against for standing up to elected and appointed officials who break the law and abuse power. I am especially grateful that the Norfolk Superior Court found that the defendants County Commissioners exceeded their authority by voting against appointing the Registry's candidate for the Registry's Chief Information Officer. In a time of cybersecurity fraud and threats that was such a poor and unsound decision by the Norfolk County Commissioners."
The Judgment of Judge Leighton of the Norfolk Superior Court dated October 1, 2025 can be viewed at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/wp-content/uploads/Judgment-10-1-25-from-Judge-Leighton.pdf.
The Decision and Order of Judge Cloutier of the Norfolk Superior Court dated June 28, 2024 can be viewed at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/decision-6-28-24-from-judge-cloutier.
