The Boston Water and Sewer Commission is currently facing a tumultuous situation as a trio of unions are advocating for the sidelining of their human resources director, Marie A. Theodat. The reason behind this push stems from civil litigation that alleges Theodat swindled a house away from an elderly relative suffering from dementia.
Representatives from three labor groups, including the Service Employees International Union Local 888, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 100, and the Office of Professional Employees International Union Local 6, penned a letter to the commission’s executive director and board of commissioners. In the letter, they strongly suggested that union members‘ sensitive information be safeguarded by the legal department until Theodat is placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of an internal probe or the resolution of the civil litigation.
The unions expressed their concern over Theodat’s access to sensitive information such as banking numbers, routing information, and SSI numbers. This raised red flags for them, prompting them to take action to protect the interests of their members.
In response to the allegations, the commission issued a statement defending Theodat as a valued employee who has played a crucial role in modernizing their human resources system. They emphasized that the commission has consistently been recognized as one of the top-rated water and sewer commissions in the country, thanks to their outstanding employees. The commission stated that they take employee feedback seriously but deemed the allegations as unsupported in a private legal matter that should be addressed through the proper channels.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission, a quasi-governmental agency funded primarily by ratepayers, manages the largest and oldest infrastructure system in New England. Providing essential services to over a million people daily, the commission employs around 450 individuals and operates under the oversight of a three-member board of commissioners appointed by the city’s mayor.
Theodat finds herself embroiled in three ongoing civil lawsuits in Suffolk Superior Court, all revolving around real estate transactions. Allegations against her range from unjust enrichment to fraud, with a focus on a Dorchester multifamily property at 144 Fuller St. The lawsuits paint a troubling picture of Theodat’s involvement in schemes to defraud and take advantage of vulnerable individuals, including elderly relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s.
One lawsuit alleges that Theodat manipulated her granduncle, Rodolphe St. Cloud, who was in his late 80s and battling dementia, into signing over his property to a limited liability corporation controlled by her for a nominal fee. The property, valued at $1.1 million, was used to secure a $2 million mortgage, with questionable dealings also involving another property in Newton.
The legal complaints further claim that Theodat forged signatures on deeds and misrepresented documents to exploit the vulnerable state of her relatives. These allegations paint a disturbing picture of abuse of trust and power, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.
As the saga unfolds in court, the unions‘ call for Theodat’s removal from her duties underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability and transparency within the commission. The outcome of the civil litigation will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for both the individuals involved and the reputation of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.