Harvey Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Steal Housing Funds

According to the Bill of Information, MURPHY submitted an application to receive housing assistance from the Jefferson Parish Housing Authority (“JPHA”) through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (“HCVP”).  MURPHY listed her family composition as she, her son, and her daughter.  The defendant did not include her husband, who owned the residence in which they lived, in her family composition.  As a result of that representation, as well as yearly recertification paperwork she filed that indicated that she was unmarried and that hid the fact that her “landlord” was actually her husband, the JPHA provided housing assistance on behalf of MURPHY between September 2003 and September 2012 in the amount of approximately $68,593.

If convicted, MUPRHY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.