WOBURN, Mass. — Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan on Thursday warned the public about deceptive lawyers in announcing criminal charges against a Melrose lawyer accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from his clients.
“Do your research,” Ryan said during a news conference while noting the rise of similar cases involving lawyers, with more than a half-dozen cases under review by her office alone.
Henry Rappa Jr., 57, of Melrose and Dennisport, who is listed as president of the Medford Community Housing Board, has been charged with two counts of embezzlement, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and unauthorized practice of law, Ryan said. He is not in custody.
Rappa is accused of stealing $660,000 from one client and $18,100 and $3,200 from another client who had retained him to act as their attorney, Ryan said.
Rappa is accused of misusing the funds, failing to return them to the clients, and ignoring regulatory authorities.
Boston 25 has reached out to Rappa for comment on the charges he is facing.
Rappa is also accused of ignoring a court order to stop practicing law, Ryan said.
Rappa was suspended from practicing law in January, pending formal disciplinary proceedings, and again in July 2025, according to the Board of Bar Overseers website.
“It reflects a continuing and concerning pattern of conduct,” Ryan said.
The Board of Bar Overseers lists a temporary suspension of Rappa on Jan. 13 and an administrative suspension of Rappa on July 23, 2025.
Rappa continued practicing law despite his suspension, Ryan said.
The district attorney warned potential legal clients to do their research before choosing an attorney to handle their legal and financial matters.
“The message is that you should be very careful before you get involved,” Ryan said.
According to his law firm’s website, Rappa graduated from Tufts University with a dual major in Economics and Political Science in 1991. He graduated from New England Law School in 1994.
He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar on Dec. 20, 1994, according to the Board of Bar Overseers.
Rappa has been practicing in real estate, estate planning, estate administration, business law, and litigation since 1994, according to his firm’s website.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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