The case was referred to the AG’s office by the IFB of Massachusetts
Rebecca Craig, a former Treasurer of the Newton Parent Teacher Organization Council (Newton PTO Council) has pleaded guilty to charges made against her by the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts earlier this year.
According to the AG’s investigation, first referred to them by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, were allegations that from 2014 through 2019, Ms. Craig engaged in various fraudulent schemes resulting in thefts of thousands of dollars. In particular, these included the submission of falsified or altered documents in support of insurance claims as well as the submission of falsified tax returns, resulting in her receipt of tax refunds totaling $13,208 to which she was not entitled.
In addition, her actions in funneling approximately $14,593 into her own personal accounts during her time serving as the Treasurer for the Newton PTO from 2013-2014.
Ms. Craig pleads guilty in two Massachusetts counties
After being indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury in March 2019, Craig was arrested and arraigned in August 2019.
On March 13, 2020, Ms. Craig appeared in Suffolk Superior Court where she pleaded guilty to the following:
- Presentation of False Claims (11 counts)
- Making a False Statement to the Tax Commissioner (11 Counts)
- Submitting a False Insurance Claim (3 counts)
- Forgery (1 Count)
- Larceny over $250 (2 Counts)
As a result of her guilty pleas, Judge Robert Tochka sentenced Ms. Craig to a year and a half in the House of Corrections, followed by two years of probation with several requirements including that she pay restitution and perform community service.
A little over a week earlier, she also had pleaded guilty to Larceny over $250 (1 Count) in the Middlesex Superior Court. In response to that plea, Judge Kathe Tuttman sentenced her to two years in the House of Corrections, with one year to serve and the remaining balance suspended for three years.
