UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	TUESDAY, JULY 28 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

BIRMINGHAM WOMAN  CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH
THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

            BIRMINGHAM, AL - United States Attorney Joyce White Vance of the Northern District of Alabama and Special Agent In Charge Michael V. Powell, of the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that FELECIA L. RUTLEDGE has been indicted by a federal grand jury for theft of government property.

            Rutledge, 31, of Birmingham, Alabama, was charged in a two-count indictment filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham.

            Count One charges theft of government property from May 24, 2007, to December 31, 2007.  It charges that from May 24, 2007, through December 31, 2007, Rutledge received subsidies and assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Rutledge submitted several forms in May 2007, in which she claimed that she was not employed and did not earn any income.  Jones obtained over $8,000 in government subsidies, which she would not have received had she accurately reported her true income and employment status.

            The maximum sentence for Count One is not more than 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.  Count two specifies a forfeiture amount of $8,094.00.

            Kenneth M. Donohue, Inspector General for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, stated  “HUD's Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring taxpayers' dollars are put to good use and HUD programs are free from waste, fraud and abuse. This joint prosecutorial effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HUD’s Office of Inspector General has helped send a strong message that those who seek to unlawfully profit by defrauding programs within HUD will be vigorously prosecuted.”
            Special Agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case. 

            Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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