A former executive secretary at the Boston Housing Authority pleaded guilty on Mar. 31 in federal court in Boston to falsifying overtime forms and committing wire fraud.
The case highlights concerns about oversight of public payroll processes and the importance of accountability among public employees.
Helen Murray, 41, of Malden, admitted to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2026. According to court documents, Murray worked as an executive secretary at the Boston Housing Authority from 2017 to 2024 and was responsible for collecting weekly timesheets and overtime forms from other employees. She was also eligible for overtime pay herself.
Prosecutors said that beginning in January 2023, Murray started submitting false overtime forms directly to BHA payroll without her supervisor’s approval. Instead of seeking pre-approval as required, she entered hours she had not worked and forged her supervisor’s signature on more than 100 forms between January 2023 and August 2024. This resulted in approximately $72,131 in fraudulent payments being included in her weekly paychecks.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox announced the plea agreement on Mar. 31. The Boston Housing Authority assisted with the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao is prosecuting the case.
