FORMER SECTION 8 LANDLORD CHARGED WITH THEFT
JEFFERSON THOMPSON, 71, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count bill of information for theft of government funds in connection with housing funds received from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the bill, in late 2005, the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority assigned to THOMPSON a tenant whose rent was subsidized with funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is alleged that THOMPSON executed a contract 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 FEMA funds in addition to the funds from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority, which was in direct violation of the rules and regulations governing Section 8 landlords. The bill alleges in total, THOMPSON unlawfully received approximately $13,770.00.
If convicted, THOMPSON faces a maximum possible sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three (3) years supervised release.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by Special Agents with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.
(Download Bill of Information 
)
