Like a fire-and-brimstone preacher, a federal judge dressed down a local pastor and former Columbus Urban League official yesterday before sentencing him to 31/2 years in prison for stealing more than $85,000 from the league. U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley chastised defendant Ovell K. Harrison for undermining the Urban League and filling his own pockets for seven years with money that should have gone to those in need of housing, child…

Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations “Reducing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Housing Programs: Inspector General Perspectives”  

TRENTON, N.J. – A federal grand jury in New Jersey has indicted the developer of three Trenton affordable housing projects for allegedly diverted money intended for the developments, announced New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. A federal grand jury returned a 25-count indictment today charging Robert Kahan, 67, of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., with 10 counts of making false statement in a loan application, three counts of bank fraud…

TRENTON -- Over the course of building affordable housing in Trenton, developer Robert Kahan misstated his net worth in order to obtain huge loans, then skimmed money from the accounts to buy a condominium in Florida and make repairs on his son’s home, a federal indictment alleged today. The 25 count-indictment includes bank fraud, mail fraud, fraud against a local government receiving federal proceeds, and making false statements on a loan…

Testimony of the Honorable David A. Montoya, Inspector General, before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on HUD Management Issues (03/14/2013)

Testimony of The Honorable David A. Montoya Inspector General Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HUD Management Issues (03/29/2012)

Goods and services must be procured in an effective manner and in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws.  These laws exist to ensure that funds are awarded through fair and open competition and are spent on eligible and reasonably priced goods and services.  Although the majority of grantees and subrecipients comply with these rules and regulations, we are issuing this bulletin to assist you in identifying potential…

The urgency in post-disaster recoveries often leads State and local officials to work to quickly restore infrastructure and public services and help make repairs. Such urgency can sometimes result in cutting corners with CDBG program requirements. However, grantees and sub-recipients that do not follow all CDBG program requirements may be forced to repay Federal funds.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer have identified an ongoing fraud scheme intentionally targeting small businesses, large corporations, government vendors, and contractors for the purpose of obtaining electronic equipment such as laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, digital projectors, solar panels, and other high-value merchandise. The…