RALEIGH, N.C. – Two members of a New Bern family pled guilty for their role in a scheme to defraud a program designed to help struggling North Carolina residents stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Takeeia Hawkins, age 43, and her daughter, Shanasia Hawkins, age 22, both pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and face up to 30 years at sentencing later this year. Takeeia Hawkins’ son, Jmari Hawkins, age 24, and another conspirator, Jonell Ojeda, age 23, have also been indicted in the scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $850,000 in emergency rental assistance from the NC HOPE Program (North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions).
“This case is yet another example of the greedy taking from the needy,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “These funds were meant to help struggling families pay their rent, and these defendants stole it. Our office will keep coming for fraudsters who used pandemic relief as a personal piggybank.”
According to information presented in court, Takeeia and Shanasia Hawkins admitted to submitting fraudulent applications to the NC HOPE Program, in which they falsely claimed to be the landlord of multiple properties in North Carolina. More than 50 applications, requesting nearly $500,000, were submitted with Takeeia or Shanasia Hawkins listed as the landlord. Neither woman owned property nor served as a landlord of any property. Based on the fraudulent representations, the NC HOPE Program mailed checks, totaling nearly $150,000 to the two women.
Jmari Hawkins and Ojeda were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in October 2023. According to the indictment, Jmari Hawkins and Ojeda are alleged to have worked together with other Hawkins family members to falsely claim to be property landlords on applications submitted to the NC HOPE Program. Property records show neither Jmari Hawkins or Ojeda owned property or served as landlord of any property on the applications. In addition, the indictment alleges they conspired with a third-party to obtain stolen identities and fraudulent identity cards to use when submitting applications for rental assistance. Their cases are still pending, and an indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. (see case number below)
The NC HOPE Program administered federal COVID-19 relief funds and provided emergency rental assistance to North Carolina renters who faced eviction and homelessness during the pandemic. The Program allowed renters to submit an online application to apply for rental assistance. If approved, the Program paid the tenant’s rent, in checks sent directly to the landlord, for up to 15 months of overdue or future rent payments.
“Treasury OIG is committed to supporting these coordinated efforts to detect and prevent misuse of public funds,” said Acting Inspector General Rich Delmar.
This alleged scheme allowed the members of the Hawkins family and their associates to enrich themselves at the expense of North Carolina renters struggling with housing insecurity during the pandemic.
“Investigating allegations of fraud related to housing assistance programs is a critical part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General,” said Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate these types of allegations and bring to justice bad actors who prey on communities struggling with the catastrophic impacts of the pandemic.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for so many families, including those in communities across North Carolina,” said NC State Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Schurmeier. “The purpose of emergency relief funds like the NC HOPE Program offered was to provide a lifeline to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads. It is beyond disappointing to know that individuals exploited the crisis for their own personal gain while some of their most vulnerable neighbors risked losing their homes. Such actions undermine the very support systems created to hold our communities together during a crisis or otherwise.”
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton.