Barbara Thedford Skipper, Theft of Federal Funds, Mississippi 2020
Former Housing Authority Director Pleads Guilty to Stealing Federal Funds in Mississippi
In a shocking case of public corruption, Barbara Thedford Skipper, the former Executive Director of the Hazlehurst Housing Authority in Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Skipper, 51, of Hazlehurst, knowingly converted and misapplied funds from the Housing Authority's operating account to her own use between 2015 and 2017.
The operating account funds were designed to assist the Housing Authority with the upkeep of public housing residential living conditions, providing decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Skipper used the Hazlehurst Housing Authority's operating account to purchase personal items, including clothing, perfume, countertop ice makers, electronic tablets, cookware, a fitness wristband, portable boom box, champagne flutes, Fire TV stick, and several gift cards.
Additionally, Skipper made unauthorized purchases from an online retailer and paid her personal Bank of America credit card from the Housing Authority operating account. The total amount of loss was $57,202.
Barbara Thedford Skipper will be sentenced by Judge Carlton W. Reeves on April 22, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as restitution.
The case is the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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