COLUMBUS - A federal grand jury here has charged Hassan Haji Hussein, age 47, of Columbus with seven counts of making false statements on applications for housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Gregory G. Lockhart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, in conjunction with Barry McLaughlin, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General Midwest Region, and Cromwell A. Handy, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, announced the indictment today.

According to the indictment, Hussein applied to the management of Capital Park Apartments for rental assistance payments and failed to disclose all of his income and employment. The indictment alleges that he made false statements when he applied in 1998 and on affidavits he signed through January 2001 in order to continue receiving the payments.

Each of the seven counts carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

Count eight of the indictment alleges that Hussein claimed two dependents he wasn't entitled to claim when he filed his 1998 Individual Income Tax Return. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.

United States District Judge Gregory L. Frost will preside over the case.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Hussein, whose last known address was 2215 Albert Avenue, #2-B, Columbus.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.