A Massachusetts Housing Authority director is facing charges of misusing up to $20,000 in taxpayer funds on trips to Disney, her daughter’s honeymoon, and numerous personal expenses.
Maureen Lynch, who has since resigned from her position as executive director of the Burlington Housing Authority, faces up to five years in prison for charges of "taking of an unwarranted privilege."
According to the Boston Herald:
Lynch blew $1,000 in taxpayer monies on a rental truck for her son, $2,200 at a motorcycle shop in Florida, $2,000 on a trip to Disney World and advanced herself $5,000 in cash, according to a statement by state Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha’s office.
Defense attorney David R. Yannetti would not say how much if any of the $20,000 in public funds Lynch has repaid to the BHA or if she’s cooperating with investigators.
Lynch pleaded not guilty, and her attorney defended her as doing "a lot of good" for the city.
"She did a lot of good for the housing authority. Brought a lot of money in through grants over the years," Yannetti said. "I don’t think any one of us would like to be judged on the mistakes that we’ve made as opposed to the good that we do, but here we are."
Lynch maxed out the government credit card’s $20,000 limit, reportedly spending $1,300 for her daughter’s flight to Aruba for her honeymoon, and using the card for veterinary bills and dental work.