Former Fenton housing authority director sentenced for embezzling more than $33,000

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that the former executive director of the Fenton housing authority, Gwen Jackson, 35, of Fenton, Louisiana, was sentenced to six months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for embezzling more than $33,000 from the housing authority.  She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must pay $33,000 in criminal restitution.

Jackson embezzled $33,194.76 from March 31, 2017 to September 20, 2017 while she was executive director of the Fenton Housing Authority.  Jackson was hired as executive director in February of 2017 and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the housing authority complex, which included access to business checks and the accounting ledger. After receiving complaints about the possible theft of funds, law enforcement agents interviewed Jackson and she confessed to fraudulently cashing numerous FHA checks for her personal benefit. She pleaded guilty to federal charges on January 9, 2019.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.