- Office of the Inspector General
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Carrie Kimball, Communications Officer
Boston, MA — A landlord with properties in Boston, Chelsea and Revere pleaded guilty to charges related to fraudulent applications for pandemic-era housing relief in Suffolk Superior Court on October 1, 2025.
Steven Stoico pleaded guilty to 3 counts of Larceny Over $1,200, 4 counts of Attempt to Commit Larceny Over $1,200, and 1 count of Solicitation to Commit Larceny Over $1,200 for filing seven false applications for rental assistance during the pandemic. Three of the seven fraudulent applications were granted resulting in payments of $95,400 to Stoico. The remaining four applications that sought $136,200 in rental assistance were denied. He was sentenced to two and a half years in the House of Correction, suspended for five years and 250 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $95,400 in restitution.
His co-defendant, Maria Grasso pleaded guilty to attempted larceny over $1,200 and conspiracy to commit larceny over $1,200 for collaborating with Stoico in filing two fraudulent applications for rental assistance. She was sentenced to three years of probation and 150 hours of community service.
“These defendants exploited a public benefit intended to help people remain in their homes during a global pandemic. Their actions are unconscionable and will not be tolerated,” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said. “The pandemic may be over, but the Office of the Inspector General’s efforts to hold those who defraud or attempt to defraud these public benefit funds accountable continue.”
The Office of the Inspector General investigated the case and the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
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