Small Property Owners Association

Professional Tenants Who Defrauded Property Owners and Taxpayers Are Finally Arrested

Professional tenants, Linda and Russell Callahan, were finally arrested after a grand jury indicted them on over 50 criminal charges. This comes after the notorious couple cheated numerous property owners over 20 years by willfully not paying rent while committing fraud, forgery, and larceny. Even as they faced these charges in multiple court hearings, they still managed to victimize a Worcester property owner by squatting in his property as recently as June. Even more outrageous is that taxpayers are providing rental assistance for these crooks, including Brian Coombs, and his wife, Nicole Inserra, who have victimized property owner, Leo Behaj of Reading.As reported in our June 2025 newsletter, investigative NBC 10 News reporter Ryan Kath and his producer, Shira Stoll, received the regional Edward R. Murrow Award for their investigative reporting on professional tenants. You can find Ryan's most recent videos below, in addition to his and Shira's appearance on Episode 10 of SPOA Housing Policy Series, called "Professional Tenants Exposed." 

Notorious husband and wife ‘professional tenants' indicted on 50+ criminal charges

Professional tenants don't pay their rent, but taxpayers do

SPOA Housing Policy SeriesEpisode 10Professional Tenants Exposed

If you are a property owner who has been victimized by professional tenants, please tell us your story by emailing us at askspoa@gmail.com.

by Amir Shahsavari and Allen Hebert

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the 'professional tenants' Linda and Russell Callahan arrested?

Yes, Linda and Russell Callahan, known as 'professional tenants,' have been arrested on over 50 criminal charges including fraud, forgery, and larceny for defrauding property owners for two decades.

How do 'professional tenants' defraud property owners and taxpayers?

'Professional tenants' like Linda and Russell Callahan exploit legal loopholes and commit fraud to avoid paying rent. Taxpayers may unknowingly fund their lifestyle through rental assistance programs.

Who exposed the activities of 'professional tenants'?

Investigative reporting by Ryan Kath and Shira Stoll of NBC 10 News exposed the activities of 'professional tenants,' earning them a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Their work was also featured on the SPOA Housing Policy Series.

What is the Small Property Owners Association (SPOA)?

The Small Property Owners Association (SPOA) is a nonprofit advocating for small landlord property rights in Massachusetts and shares information about issues like 'professional tenants.'

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