Former Watertown Housing Authority Executive Director to Repay Funds Stolen from Housing Authority

Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro joined United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston in announcing that the former Executive Director of the Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) has agreed to return more than $6,200 to the WHA stemming from his theft of the funds which he used to fund his bathroom renovation.

Michael Lara, 41, of Norwood, Mass., was charged with one count of wire fraud. Under the terms of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lara has agreed to repay over $6,200 stolen from WHA, resign from his current position as the Executive Director of the Newton Housing Authority and not commit a new violation of federal criminal law for six months.

“It is deeply troubling when a public employee steals any amount of public funds for their own use.  I am thankful to my federal law enforcement partners to pursuing this case and holding this individual accountable,” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said. “I also want to thank the person who contacted the OIG’s Fraud Hotline to report this. I encourage anyone who suspects fraud, waste, or abuse of public funds to contact our hotline.”

For more information, please view the U.S. Attorney’s press release.
District of Massachusetts | Former Watertown Housing Authority Executive Director to Repay Funds Stolen from Housing Authority | United States Department of Justice

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is an independent agency that prevents and detects fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds and public property on the state and municipal levels. If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public resources, you are encouraged to contact the OIG’s confidential fraud hotline by calling 1-800-322-1323, emailing [email protected] or visit our website at maoig.gov.

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