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Date Published
December 17, 2013
News Type
Press Release
Link to Original
United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2013

Linda Linseman, 56, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced yesterday to 32 months imprisonment by Judge Robert H. Cleland for her theft of more than $385,000 in Federal and State grant funds designated to Lighthouse of Oakland, a non-profit organization in Pontiac, Michigan, dedicated to helping the homeless, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Giovanni Tiano, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) and Barry McLaughlin, Special Agent in Charge, Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.

The case arose from Linseman’s employment as the Program Manager for Lighthouse’s Emergency Services Division. During a four year period starting in late 2008, Linseman misdirected funds designated for rental housing for the homeless to her friends and relatives as phony landlords and even paid her own rent in this manner.    

United States Attorney McQuade stated, "This defendant stole taxpayer funds intended to benefit the homeless. She not only abused her position of trust, but denied shelter to those who need it most."

Special Agent in Charge Abbate stated, “Ms. Linesman abdicated the responsibilities of her trusted position to line her own pockets. In the process, she not only breached the public trust, but also stole funds intended to provide basic shelter for those in our community who need it most. The FBI Detroit Field Office, working with our law enforcement partners, remains dedicated to rooting out those who corrupt essential public systems. We will continue to bring these criminals to justice.”

Special Agent in Charge Tiano stated, “The DHS OIG is pleased with the successful outcome of this investigation and will continue to be committed to aggressively pursuing those individuals who seek to exploit the integrity of the DHS programs and operations for their own greed-driven motivations.”

The investigation of this case was conducted by special agents of the FBI, and the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Homeland Security and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross MacKenzie.