Former Duson Housing Authority director pleads guilty to stealing more than $110,000

LAFAYETTE, La. – (RealEstateRama) — United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that the former Duson Housing Authority director pleaded guilty to stealing more than $110,000 in funds.

Patsy Clark, 60, of Duson, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Hanna on one count of federal program theft. The plea will become final after it is approved by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. According to the guilty plea, Clark was the executive director of the Duson Housing Authority from 1990 to November 2014. A routine financial audit conducted in 2014 found that Clark stole $93,270 in tenant payments from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, Clark made $11,780.33 in personal purchases using the Housing Authority’s credit card. She also deposited $4,954 in tenant security deposit refund checks and rent payments into her personal bank account. Clark caused a total of $110,113.33 in losses to the United States.

Clark faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of July 13, 2018.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.