Framingham Housing Scandal: Milford Woman Embezzles Over $70,000

BOSTON – In a stunning revelation of corruption, Rosa A. Famania, a 33-year-old Milford resident, was sentenced yesterday in federal court for embezzling over $70,000 from the Framingham Housing Authority (FHA). Famania faced five months in prison and three years of supervised release following her conviction.

According to U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris, Famania must also serve five months at a residential substance abuse facility post-prison and pay $70,649 in restitution to the FHA. Famania had pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling money from an agency receiving federal funds in December 2016.

Famania began working as an accounting assistant for the FHA in February 2010. Her duties included collecting cash rent payments from tenants, recording them in the FHA system, securing the cash, and depositing it into the authority’s bank accounts. However, between February 2014 and August 2015, Famania stole approximately 181 cash rental payments, totaling $70,649, and manipulated the FHA accounting software to hide her crimes.

Her deceitful tactics involved collecting rent payments but not depositing them into the authority’s bank accounts. Instead, she kept the money, adjusted tenants’ balances downwards using the software, and transferred funds to personal accounts. Postal records indicated Famania obtained 19 U.S. Postal Service money orders totaling $17,900 in 2014.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of HUD’s Office of Inspector General; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson jointly announced Famania’s sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Bloomer prosecuted the case.

As this gritty tale of financial deceit unfolds, the Framingham Housing Authority faces a renewed call for transparency and accountability in public housing management.