Press Release  Lawrence Landlord Pleads Guilty, Sentenced in Connection With Forging Documents to Illegally Obtain Section 8 Funding

Boston — A Lawrence landlord has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with fabricating and submitting false documents, including occupancy and de-leading certificates, to secure Section 8 benefits for his low-income residential properties, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The certificates are required by law to ensure that a landlord has made a rental unit habitable and safe for the next occupant.

Edward Bonaccorsi II, age 54, originally of Lawrence and now of Hampstead, NH, pleaded guilty recently in Salem Superior Court to 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.

“This landlord forged documents to obtain government money, putting the health and welfare of his tenants – including young children – at risk,” said AG Healey. “All residents deserve safe housing and landlords cannot cut corners that put families in danger.”

Following the plea, Judge Timothy Feeley imposed a sentence of three years of probation, a $6,000 fine, and the condition that Bonaccorsi not apply for or receive, directly or indirectly, Section 8 benefits in the state.

This case was referred to the AG’s Environmental Crimes Strike Force by the City of Lawrence after Bonaccorsi submitted a forged occupancy certificate to the local housing authority in an application for Section 8 funding for a new tenant in July 2016.

Authorities determined through their investigation that Bonaccorsi submitted three other forged occupancy certificates and two forged certificates of de-leading compliance over the past five years. Bonaccorsi’s printing company, “Essex Printing,” had a contract with the City of Lawrence’s Inspection Services Department from 1987-2010, which he used to print blank occupancy certificates. Using these forged documents, Bonaccorsi managed to obtain Section 8 funding for a number of his low-income housing units.

State law requires Section 8 landlords provide up-to-date occupancy and de-leading compliance certificates to ensure that the unit is safe and habitable for the next tenant. The certificate of de-leading compliance, in particular, ensures that children residing in rental units are not at risk from exposure to the health dangers of lead paint.

Lead paint, if ingested by a child, can cause permanent damage to the 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. Some of the defendant’s units housed young children.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jessica Frattaroli of AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau through the AG’s Environmental Crimes Strike Force, with the assistance of Victim Witness Advocate Amber Anderson. The 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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