Local Housing Authority Director To Be Arraigned

A local Housing Authority director has been charged with stealing the authority’s money to pay personal expenses.

Maureen Lynch, 53, of Burlington, was arraigned Wednesday in Woburn Superior Court on charges of taking unwarranted privileges through her position as executive director of the Burlington Housing Authority, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced Tuesday. Lynch was indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on July 30 in connection with allegedly using the housing authority’s credit card to pay for personal purchases.

“Public officials have a duty to the citizens they serve to work with integrity and honesty,” said District Attorney Ryan in a statement. “This defendant allegedly disregarded the very essence of what it means to be a public servant.”

Authorities say that in June 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development did a review of the BHA and found that a housing authority credit card had been issued in Lynch’s name and that she was using the card for personal expenses. Although records indicated Lynch was attempting to reimburse the BHA for personal expenses, she was sent a letter directing her to cease using the BHA credit card in that fashion.

Later, Lynch reported to state officials that she had complied with their direction but in the next few months she allegedly continued to use the card for personal expenses such as veterinary bills, dental work, and expenses related to her son’s education and her daughter’s wedding.

Massachusetts Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha added, “This indictment sends a clear message that abusing the public trust, taking unwarranted financial privileges and breaching your fiduciary responsibilities to the tenants you serve, cannot and will not be tolerated.”

During the time Lynch allegedly used the card for personal expenses, she would occasionally reimburse the BHA for some of the expenses. However, an investigation conducted by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General and the Burlington Police Department revealed personal expenditures during an 18-month period that maxed out the BHA credit card to its limit of $20,000.

Lynch became Executive Director of the Burlington Housing Authority in July, 2003.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.