U.S. Attorney Richard Moore of Alabama’s southern district announced that a 39-year-old woman from Selma was indicted for allegedly stealing $95,689.44 in funds given to the Selma Housing Authority from the Housing and Urban Development Authority.
The accused, identified as Tonya Lewis, was indicted with theft of government funds, as well as aggravated identity theft. The U.S. Department of Justice’s announcement said that she allegedly used the identity of another person to get a credit card.
If convicted, Lewis could get a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a supervised release term of three years for the government theft charge.
The identity charge could land Lewis a “minimum mandatory two years consecutive to any other sentence imposed.” The charge also carries the penalty of a $250,000 fine and a supervised release term of three years.
“[A]s the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it is our responsibility to investigate allegations of fraud against HUD and HUD funded agencies such as the Selma Housing Authority,” said Nadine E. Gurley, Special Agent in Charge, HUD-OIG.
“We will continue to promote our efforts in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office during this investigation.”
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