'Con Artist' Bookkeeper Faces Federal Charges: Patch PM

It's Monday, Jan. 25. Here is what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

Malden Restaurateur's Former Bookkeeper Charged In Federal Court

The owner of a firm that provided payroll services to small businesses in New England, including a Malden restaurant, has been accused in federal court of defrauding her clients by diverting the funds set aside for payroll taxes to her own company, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Patricia Lindau, 65, of Newburg, ME, was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. According to the plea agreement filed Monday, the government will recommend a low sentence, one year of supervised release and restitution of $1,393,430.

George Lambos, owner of Fresco's Roast Beef & Seafood in Malden, told Patch he was among the dozens of business owners that Lindau defrauded. In July, Lambos owed more than $100,000 in taxes – money that Lindau assured him had been paid to the IRS.

Read more here.

In and Around Middlesex County

Reading Examines Pooled Testing In Schools

The Reading Public Schools is looking into implementing pooled COVID-19 testing for staff and students during in-person school weeks.

The testing method involves mixing several test samples together in a batch and testing the pooled sample for the coronavirus. If a pool comes back positive, everyone in the pool will be tested individually, enabling health officials to isolate cases.

Bianchi's Pizza Reopening At Revere Beach

Don't call it a comeback – they've been here for years. But Bianchi's Pizza will make a full return to Revere Beach after sharing duties with Renzo's since 2018.

The pizzeria announced Sunday it will be taking over the Renzo's space after the latter pizzeria closed in early November. It will reopen with its original ownership, ovens and pizza recipe after remodeling the space.

Woburn Fire Puts Out Vining Court Apartment Blaze

Woburn firefighters put out a fire in a 2.5-story apartment building on Vining Court, Sunday night.

Firefighters responded to the call at 7:11 p.m. and found a bedroom fire in a second-floor apartment, Chief Donald Kenton said. The fire appeared to be electrical, but the cause is still under investigation.

Medford Sets Additional Vaccine Clinic For Phase 1

Medford has scheduled another vaccine clinic for those eligible under Phase 1. This includes all healthcare workers, long-term care, assisted living and congregate care facilities and first responders.

The clinic will take place Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Andrews School. Eligible people who live or work in Medford, or in one of its regional partner communities, can register for an appointment at MAimmunizations.org.

Also Today

Rhode Island Drops Massachusetts From Coronavirus Travel Ban

Rhode Island residents can now freely travel to and from the state without the need to get tested or self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return. The state isn't completely in the clear, however. According to the Massachusetts state website, Rhode Island is still considered a high-risk state.

Charges In Belmont Hit-And-Run Upgraded To Murder

Middlesex District attorney Marian Ryan announced on Monday that Dean Kapsalis, 54 of Hudson, will face additional charges of murder and leaving the scene causing death in connection with striking and killing Henry Tapia in Belmont.

Police: Woman Burglarized Same Home Twice

When the burglaries occurred, Stoughton police determined the suspect was a woman who entered the home under false pretenses. Police said the woman, later identified as Carla Darosa, went through great lengths to conceal her identity, but she had a very specific tattoo that was seen on home security footage.