Michael Lara, former executive director of the Newton Housing Authority, is accused of stealing more than $6,200 in bathroom fixtures using Watertown Housing Authority credit cards. He then tried to hide the evidence, according to federal prosecutors and the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General.
Lara, 41, of Norwood, was charged with one count of wire fraud for allegedly stealing the funds to renovate his personal bathroom. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced Aug. 31 that Lara had entered a deferred prosecution agreement requiring him to repay the money, resign his Newton position and avoid any new federal crimes for six months.
Lara resigned Sept. 1.
The case took a dramatic turn in June when the FBI executed a search warrant at Lara's residence. Agents found he had installed a new bathroom vanity, mirrors, shower fixtures and sink fixtures, replacing ones he had removed after learning of the investigation, WWLP reported. He had kept the vanity lights.
Carrie Kimball, communications officer for the Inspector General's office, told The Heights that the investigation began in 2024 after a tip came in on the office's fraud hotline.
"After learning of our investigation, he removed the fixtures that he purchased, which was discovered when the feds executed a search warrant at Mr. Lara's residence and found different fixtures, except for the lights, in his bathroom," Kimball said.
Lara served as executive director of the Watertown Housing Authority from July 2019 through January 2025. In that role, he also served as president of the Watertown Housing Development Corporation and WHDC Holdings, LLC. Those positions gave him access to the WHA's Home Depot charge account and WHDC credit cards.
Lara allegedly used those accounts between 2022 and 2023 to buy a robe hook, faucet, towel ring, rain shower head, shower valve trim, vanity, mirror and vanity lights, according to federal prosecutors. He labeled some purchases "705," a reference to Chapter 705 public housing rentals, to disguise them as business expenses, according to the Inspector General's office.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, Lara allegedly exchanged text messages with his personal contractor directing the installation of fixtures bought with housing authority funds, WWLP reported, citing court filings.
Lara became Newton Housing Authority executive director in January 2025. Under the deferred prosecution agreement, if he completes repayment and commits no new crimes before Feb. 17, 2027, he will not be formally prosecuted, the Newton Beacon reported. The agreement requires judicial approval.
Following Lara's resignation, NHA commissioners removed him from all agency accounts and systems. An audit is underway, and the authority is searching for a permanent executive director, according to Patch.
Jacqueline Weir, the new Watertown Housing Authority executive director, said in a Sept. 3 statement that Lara's actions do not reflect the work of the authority's staff. The U.S. Attorney's Office and both housing authorities declined further comment.
