A former employee of the Boston Housing Authority has been charged in federal court for allegedly orchestrating an overtime pay scheme that netted her more than $40,000.
Helen Murray, a former Malden resident, faces one count of wire fraud in federal court in Boston, according to charging documents. Prosecutors allege she carried out the scheme while working as an executive secretary in the agency’s property management division.
Between January 2023 and August 2024, Murray is accused of submitting falsified overtime forms claiming she worked more hours than she actually did. The documents also allegedly indicated that her supervisor had approved the additional hours, when that was not the case.
Investigators say Murray filed dozens of fraudulent forms and improperly collected more than $40,000 in overtime pay. In one instance in August 2024, she allegedly received over $1,300 in pretax overtime compensation.
If convicted, Murray could face significant financial penalties, including tens of thousands of dollars in civil forfeiture.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Boston Housing Authority emphasized that the agency is committed to protecting public funds intended to support low-income residents. The spokesperson added that the agency worked closely with law enforcement to recover funds and uphold its public mission.
