News  Former Treasurer of Newton Parent Teacher Organization Indicted, Arrested in Connection with Stealing Money

Boston — A Boston woman was arrested today in connection with an alleged scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars by making false insurance claims, providing incorrect information on her tax refunds, and allegedly stealing over $14,000 from the Newton Parent Teacher Organization Council (Newton PTO Council) as the former treasurer, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Rebeca Craig, 37, of Boston, was indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury on 27 counts, including Presentation of False Claims (10 counts), Making a False Statement to the Tax Commissioner (10 Counts), Submitting a False Insurance Claim (3 counts), Forgery (1 Count), and Larceny over $250 (3 Counts). She will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court tomorrow at 9 a.m. She will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date.

The AG’s Office alleges that from 2013 through 2018, Craig engaged in various fraudulent schemes and thefts. Several of her alleged schemes involved the submission of falsified or altered documents in support of insurance claims. In addition, the AG’s Office alleges that Craig submitted falsified tax returns, resulting in her receipt of tax refunds totaling $11,318, to which she was not entitled. Finally, the AG’s Office alleges that Craig, who served as the Treasurer for the Newton PTO Council from 2013 to 2014, funneled $14,593 from the organization to her own personal accounts.

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.       

AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers, including the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems.

This case was referred to the AG’s Office by the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau. In the AG’s Office, this case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General John Reynolds and Investigator Michelle Silva, both of the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit of the AG’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the Insurance Fraud Bureau, and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office also provided significant assistance in this case.