A Boston-area landlord faced arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of defrauding pandemic housing relief funds. Steven Stoico, who owns properties across Boston, Chelsea, and Revere, has been charged with multiple counts of larceny and attempted larceny.
Stoico is accused of submitting seven falsified applications for rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegedly, three were approved, funneling $95,400 into Stoico's accounts. The four other claims, which attempted to garner an additional $136,200, were not successful. Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro, as reported by Mass.gov, highlighted the severity of this misuse of rental assistance, especially given the region's high housing costs.
"I want to thank Attorney General Campbell’s team and the OIG investigative team for pursuing this case," stated Inspector General Shapiro. "Given the high cost of housing, misuse of rental assistance, as alleged in this case, is egregious." Shapiro further emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for abusing such government resources, according to a Mass.gov report.
The Office of the Inspector General led the investigation into the case, while the Attorney General’s Office is in charge of prosecuting the matter. These allegations have brought to light issues of system abuse amid relief efforts designed to support those genuinely struggling due to the economic fallout of the pandemic. The charges remain just that, allegations, and Stoico retains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt within a court of law.
