Press Release  Lawrence Landlord Indicted in Connection With Forging Documents to Illegally Obtain Section 8 Funding

Salem — A Lawrence landlord has been indicted in connection with forging and submitting documents including de-leading and occupancy certificates in order to secure Section 8 benefits for his low-income residents, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Edward Bonaccorsi II, age 54, of Hampstead, NH, was indicted Wednesday by an Essex County Grand Jury on the charges of Forgery (six counts), Uttering a Forged Record (six counts) and Procurement Fraud (five counts). Bonaccorsi owns six residential properties in Lawrence, that contain a total of 16 apartment units.

Bonaccorsi will be arraigned on the charges in Essex Superior Court at a later date. 

State laws require that Section 8 landlords provide an up-to-date occupancy certificate prior to new tenants taking residence in a unit and certify that the apartment is lead-free if renting to children under the age of 6. These laws ensure that once a tenant leaves, the residential unit is in habitable and safe condition for the next occupant.

“Childhood exposure to lead is a very real public health threat, and these regulations were put in place to ensure that our most vulnerable families have safe, lead-free housing,” said AG Healey. “Forging documents that are meant to show that homes are safe for children is a serious crime that threatens public health, and we will continue to work to prosecute these crimes that hurt families.”

This case was referred to the AG’s Office by the City of Lawrence after Bonaccorsi allegedly submitted a forged occupancy certificate to a local nonprofit organization in an application for Section 8 funding for a new tenant in July 2016. Authorities also allege that Bonaccorsi submitted three other forged occupancy certificates and two forged certificates of de-leading compliance over the past five years. He successfully obtained Section 8 funding using these forged documents.

The certificate of de-leading compliance ensures that children residing in these units are not at risk from exposure to the health dangers of lead paint, which if ingested by inhaling or swallowing can cause permanent damage to a child’s brain, kidneys and nervous system. Even at low levels, ingesting lead paint can slow a child's development and cause learning and behavior problems.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jessica Frattaroli of AG Healey’s Environmental Crimes Strike Force, with the assistance of Victim Witness Advocate Amber Anderson. This case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department, with assistance and full cooperation from the City of Lawrence Inspectional Services Department.

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