James Fitzpatrick
This week’s media coverage revealed that former Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) Director Michael McLaughlin has been indicted alongside two others in connection with the alleged manipulation of public housing inspections.
McLaughlin, 67, learned of the new indictment on Tuesday. He is currently incarcerated on federal charges related to his salary and is also defending against state charges involving campaign finance violations.
The indictment also names James Fitzpatrick, the former Director of Modernization who departed from the CHA in March with a full pension. During his tenure alongside McLaughlin, observers have noted that minimal improvements, if any, were realized at the authority.
Fitzpatrick is based in Acton.
Bernard Morosco of Utica, NY rounds out the three defendants. Morosco served as a housing inspector hired by McLaughlin to work as a consultant. According to allegations, Morosco provided advance notice to Fitzpatrick and McLaughlin regarding federal housing program inspections, whether announced or unannounced.
Fitzpatrick’s retirement became effective on March 20.
During a March hearing, Retirement Board officials stated they could not deny Fitzpatrick’s pension request despite widespread rumors and media reports, as no charges had been filed against him at that time. They noted, however, that a conviction on any criminal charge could prompt reconsideration of the pension approval.
Fitzpatrick’s annual retirement benefit exceeds $30,000.
His final three-year average salary at the time of retirement exceeded $90,000.