Gloucester low-incoming housing manager accused of stealing $21K

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — A Rockport woman is in hot water, charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a non-profit she worked for and the people she was supposed to be helping.

Police say 40-year-old Erica Perry claims she stole to support her family.

She’s managed a low-income housing community in Gloucester for a decade and investigators say they’re uncovering a calculated scheme that’s been going on for at least three years.

Residents said they trusted her with the little money that had.

“She stole from us blind,” Kaila Simpson said. “She would put it in her drawer and say okay… that was that I thought my rent was being paid.”

Perry was working for the Caleb Group, and is accused of stealing more than $21,000.

Anthony Trupiano is one of the alleged victims. He said Perry was convincing.

“The red flag when 20-something people at one time get an eviction notice. Something is definitely off,” he said.

According to documents, Trupiano was told his rent would be $1,050 each month, he signed a lease but was never given a copy. Police said the property lists the rental as $950/month.

Like others who don’t have checking accounts, Trupiano paid in cash. He said he was floored when he learned there was an outstanding balance.

But some people in the Gloucester housing community are convinced there’s more to the story.

“I don’t think she did it. I really don’t think she did it,” Lori Wieckowski said. “I think some of these people are looking for a way out of not paying their rent that they owe.”

Nobody answered the door at Perry’s listed address in Rockport, but documents said she confessed and “has been sick about what she had done.”

Perry allegedly said she had been dealing husband’s drug abuse and the stress of having one daughter in college and two young children at home.

Perry is set to be arraigned next month. In a statement, the Caleb Group said Perry is no longer working for the company.

<em>As soon as this situation was brought to our attention we took immediate action, Erica Perry was let go  and we began an investigation working with the Gloucester Police. As residents have come in with receipts we have been working with them to correct their payment records and make them whole. We are moving forward with new staff and new protocols. </em>

Cox Media Group