HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A former administrator with Huntington Housing Authority (HHA) has pleaded guilty to embezzlement.
According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, Patricia Howard, 58, pleaded guilty Monday to an embezzlement scheme that took thousands of dollars belonging to the housing grant program meant to assist disabled and homeless people.
Howard was charged back in August 2012 in a one-count indictment.
The release stated that as administrator for HHA, Howard handled the agency’s Shelter Plus Care Program, which was established and funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
She set up and administered accounts for disabled and homeless persons as well as landlords who participated in the housing program.
The release said that in August 2011, Howard created a fictitious Shelter Care landlord account which she had linked to her personal checking account.
From August 2011 until August 2012, she illegally withdrew money from the account for her personal use, according to the release. Howard embezzled a total of $23,000 from HHA.
Howard faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced on February 24, 2014. She is currently being held on unrelated state fraud charges.