District Man Admits Defrauding Covid-19 Tenant Assistance Program

            WASHINGTON – Ronald Allen, Jr., 54, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in Superior Court to one count of first-degree theft and one count of false statements for fraudulently obtaining and keeping $31,044 from a Covid-19 tenant assistance program, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Daniel W. Lucas Inspector General for the District of Columbia.

            At today’s plea hearing, Allen admitted that in July and September of 2021, he submitted false information on two separate applications to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program, a DC government program established in 2021 to help cover rent and utilities for renters suffering hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. Allen falsely stated that he had earned no income in 2020 or 2021, and falsely stated that his work had stopped because of the pandemic when, in fact, he maintained steady income during both years from several sources. Based on Allen’s false statements, the DC government sent Allen two checks, totaling $31,044, that Allen had promised to use to pay back rent and utilities. Allen admitted that he did not use any of that money to pay his outstanding rent obligations, or utilities, as required by the terms of the program, and instead spent all of the STAY DC money on luxury goods, travel, dining, and other personal expenses. As part of the plea agreement, Allen agreed to pay full restitution, in the amount of $31,044.

            The Honorable Jason Park accepted Allen’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for May 3, 2024.

            In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, on detail from the DC Office of the Attorney General to prosecute matters involving fraud and public corruption.