A Braintree woman and a Dorchester man were arraigned in connection with a public housing scam that targeted victims of domestic violence, reports Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. Rosalyn Webb, a former case manager for Stone House in Roxbury, was charged with one count of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme, while Nathaniel Davis faces five counts of larceny by check over $1,200. Both were released on personal recognizance pending a pre-trial hearing scheduled for November 6.
The scheme unfolded when Boston police received an April 25 report from Stone House management about the fraudulent activities of Webb, their former employee. Three individuals were purportedly living at a residence owned by Davis in Dorchester, but upon investigation, it was found that none of the alleged tenants actually resided there. According to the DA's announcement, Webb had falsified information to allow Davis to cash checks in the amount of $21,250 between December 2023 and February 2024.
Authorities got wind of the scam when a Stone House tenant complained about being forced by Webb in February to sign a lease and pay $525 monthly in cash directly to her. Webb’s criminal history stretches over 35 pages, dating back to the 1980s. Following the complaint, Webb was quickly terminated from her position at the organization that provides crucial support to survivors of domestic violence.
"Defrauding anyone for personal gain is brazen enough, but preying on those in dire need of services is particularly contemptible," Hayden said in a statement posted on the district attorney's official website. Suffolk County has recently initiated the Fraud Fighters program to combat the rise in financial exploitation, providing residents with the knowledge to identify and report scams. Webb and Davis are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
For those seeking additional insight into recognizing and avoiding such scams, the Federal Trade Commission hosts a helpful website, and the City of Boston offers similar resources. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office reminds the public of their commitment to maintain the safety of residents within Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Massachusetts, handling an overflow of 20,000 cases annually across various courts, with an emphasis on education and crime prevention.
