FORMER SECTION 8 LANDLORD SENTENCED FOR THEFT
JEFFERSON THOMPSON, 71, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to one (1) year probation, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment in connection with a one-count bill of information for theft of government funds relating to housing funds he unlawfully received from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. THOMPSON has already made full restitution of $13,770 to the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority.
According to court documents, in late 2005, the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority assigned THOMPSON a tenant whose rent was subsidized by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). THOMPSON executed a contract with the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority that prohibited him from receiving any other federal, state, or local funds to pay for the tenant’s rent. Approximately nine months later, THOMPSON raised the tenant’s monthly lease amount. After being informed the tenant could not afford the newly increased rent, THOMPSON went to a FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance Center and applied for funds on his tenant’s behalf. Upon approval, THOMPSON began receiving these FEMA funds to pay for his tenant’s rent, in addition to the HUD funds he was receiving from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority, which was in direct violation of the rules and regulations governing Section 8 landlords. THOMPSON admitted that he unlawfully received approximately $13,770.00 in HUD funds from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority.
The case was investigated by agents from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.
