On Friday, when former Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) Director Michael McLaughlin receives his sentence at Boston’s Federal Court, observers anticipate that residents who endured his alleged “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “reign of terror” will have the opportunity to address the court as victims.
A rare occurrence in public corruption prosecutions, this sentencing may feature between two and six CHA tenants delivering victim impact statements, in which they will urge substantial prison time and restitution payments to the CHA.
The grassroots movement ignited in February when McLaughlin’s plea agreement became public. Outrage swept through the CHA developments as residents feared he would avoid incarceration and receive only minimal punishment. Tenants mobilized quickly, supported by Greater Boston Legal Services Attorney Jay Rose alongside Chelsea Collaborative representatives Gladys Vega and Maria Belen Power, forming an organized coalition.
Mildred Valentin, a Clark Avenue Development resident who plans to testify Friday, stated: “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “Michael McLaughlin shouldn’t get a slap on the wrist because he’ll continue doing it. Twenty years would be about right. He needs to get jail time and to pay restitution. Most people would be okay with that as long as we get money to do repairs in these buildings.”
After four years in public housing, Valentin witnessed only the final period of McLaughlin’s tenure, yet she described widespread accounts of rodent and bug infestations, deteriorating units, and constant eviction threats. “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “There’s so many horror stories here you wouldn’t believe it. If you want your unit painted, they tell you to do it yourself—and they’re telling this to disabled, elderly people in wheelchairs. The mice and bedbugs—it’s awful. I would say about 70 percent of the units in our development need serious repairs. We were supposed to get new carpet in here. We didn’t. Why? Because Michael McLaughlin wouldn’t give over the money. The same thing for the washing machines. We have four working machines for 151 apartments. No one can get any laundry done.”
Deciding to take action, Valentin helped organize the effort and committed to speaking in court. “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “A lot of people are afraid to stand up or say anything because they believe there will be retaliation. The tactic here in the past was always eviction if you said anything. They evict you all the time. So, I’m not only speaking for myself, but also for my neighbors who can’t do it, who are too scared to do it or who are too shy to do it. I will speak.”
Power and Vega characterized Friday’s proceedings as historic. “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “This will be a historic occasion. We’re really excited to have the tenants’s voice heard in court, which is a rare but exciting experience. We’re glad the tenants will have a voice and a space to be heard in the sentencing,” Power explained.
According to Vega, the organizing process proved illuminating. “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/7e2eavw.php_12.gif” “It has been incredible because it was the tenants who walked into the Collaborative and asked if we could help them—having known our efforts on such things in the past. They began coming in one by one and we decided that this was one we wouldn’t let get away. They told us, ‘We have been saying McLaughlin is no good for years and we want everyone to know that we tried to tell everyone and no one wanted to hear us.’ We were also extremely appalled at the pre-sentencing agreement. We understand why they did it, but we didn’t think we could let it go just like that.” she said.
From Burma Road and Central Avenue, at least six additional tenants have submitted letters to the court and stand prepared to testify.
Hundreds of residents are expected to arrive by bus to gather outside the courthouse in a show of solidarity.