S
tephen Webster, the former broker and owner of Success! Real Estate, Inc., was indicted by a Plymouth County grand jury on September 12 for embezzlement, larceny over $1,200, witness intimidation and false financial statements. A national arrest warrant was issued, and he was taken into custody in Palm Beach County, Florida, on September 30 through a joint effort that included the Massachusetts State Police. After extradition to Massachusetts, Webster pleaded not guilty in Brockton Superior Court and was released on $100,000 bail, far below the $500,000 requested by prosecutors.

    Success! had operated for decades in southeastern Massachusetts before shutting down abruptly in December. The closure exposed more than $1 million in client escrow funds that were missing and roughly $500,000 in unpaid commissions owed to agents. A months‑long investigation uncovered evidence of systematic financial misconduct from 2023 to 2024, including South Shore Bank and Rockland Trust records, accounting ledgers, and witness statements. Webster allegedly diverted escrow money into personal and business accounts, fabricated financial documents for regulators, and forged a bank letter claiming the company’s escrow account held over $900,000 when it actually contained only a few thousand dollars.

    Employees and clients were caught off guard by the sudden shutdown, leaving many in the middle of active real estate transactions with deposits held in escrow and commissions unpaid. If released, Webster must surrender all travel documents, remain in Massachusetts during the proceedings, and meet regularly with probation services. He is represented by Shannon Burns and is scheduled for a pre‑trial conference on November 13.