Michael Lara, the former executive director of the Newton Housing Authority (NHA), allegedly stole over $6,200 to renovate his personal bathroom during his time as the Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) executive director and is now being charged with wire fraud.
Carrie Kimball, the communications officer for the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (OIG), spoke with The Heights, clarifying details about the case.
“It’s the United States Attorney’s Office that is prosecuting Mr. Lara, and he was charged with one count of wire fraud,” Kimball said. “And that relates to allegations that say he stole approximately $6,200 from the Watertown Housing Authority to remodel his personal bathroom.”
Lara was the executive director of the WHA from 2019 until 2025, when he became the NHA’s executive director, until his resignation in August.
The United States Attorney’s Office of Massachusetts (USAO-MA) announced in a press release on Aug. 31 that Lara agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement in exchange for not being prosecuted.
“A US Attorney’s Office announced that Mr. Lara has agreed to return the money, roughly $6,200, resign from his current position at the time as the executive...