KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., plumber was indicted by a federal grand jury today for defrauding the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by double-billing more than $82,000 in work at a number of apartments in the metropolitan area.

Terrance E. Eberra, 60, of Kansas City, was charged with mail fraud in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.

According to today’s indictment, Eberra – doing business as Eberra’s Plumbing – was a plumbing contractor who received HUD funds for the replacement and installation of bathtubs in apartments managed by Parade Park Homes, Inc. Parade Park Homes, which receives HUD funding, manages 510 apartments located in the metropolitan area. From Feb. 14, 2004, to March 1, 2007, Eberra allegedly sent duplicate invoices to Parade Park Homes so that he would receive multiple payments for the same work.

Today’s indictment cites numerous instances of double- and triple-billing. In one instance, Eberra allegedly submitted five invoices and received five checks in payment for the same work performed at one residence. In another instance, Eberra allegedly submitted four invoices and received four checks in payment for the same work performed at one residence.

Today’s indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Eberra to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the proceeds of the alleged offense, including a money judgment of $82,150.

Phillips cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William L. Meiners. It was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.

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