John George Farms will be selling ice cream again, as former Select Board member and convicted embezzler John George Jr. was granted a common victualler license at a virtual Select Board meeting on May 4.

A much-loved town fixture who sold ice cream and produce from his Slocum Road stand for decades, George was released early from prison last fall after serving a sentence of more than 70 months for embezzling thousands from the taxpayer-subsidized Southeastern Regional Bus Company.

He also concealed assets of at least $1 million cash in safety deposit boxes that were seized by U.S. Marshals after his 2015 sentencing.

At the virtual meeting, only Select Board member Shawn McDonald took special note of the occasion.

“Welcome home, Mr. George,” said McDonald. “Nice to see you.”

“I think this is good news for people who have desperately missed that place for ice cream, that’s for sure,” he added. “I welcome back your attempt to re-open.”

The board approved the license unanimously.

“Thank you very much, I appreciate it,” George said. “And stay healthy, everybody. Stay safe.”

It is unclear when the business will open.

At the same meeting, the board also approved a new victualler license for new Dockside Ice Cream owner Melissa Coray, who said she will be selling Acushnet Creamery ice cream. 

This article has been updated to include more background information about George and his history in the town.