Federal Agency Cracks Down on Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness for Double Billing HUD Funds
PHILADELPHIA – The Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness (“BCEH”) has agreed to pay $121,655 to settle allegations that the public-private partnership organization double-billed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for renovations performed on a property in Reading, Pennsylvania.
According to the settlement, BCEH knowingly submitted duplicate requests for payment for the framing, electrical, and plumbing renovations performed on a single project. The organization submitted a request to draw approximately $40,000 from HUD’s Continuum of Care Program to be used towards renovation costs on the project on September 14, 2017. Then, on December 14, 2017, BCEH is alleged to have submitted to the City of Reading’s HOME Program a request for reimbursement of the same renovation costs that were to have been paid by the earlier draw request.
The United States alleges that by submitting for the same renovation costs twice, BCEH received approximately $40,000 to which it was not entitled. “Our office will pursue anyone that that abuses federal programs for their personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.
“Duplicate billing will not be tolerated and will be investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. HUD-OIG is committed to working with the Department of Justice to ensure that HUD funds are used for their intended purpose. In this case, HUD program funds were misappropriated by BCEH when they double billed the City of Reading, PA to obtain unauthorized HUD funding desperately needed in the fight against homelessness,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office’s fraud investigator Frank O’Connor. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Koob handled the settlement.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
The Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness is a public-private partnership organization that aims to end homelessness in Berks County. The organization has agreed to pay $121,655 to settle allegations that it double-billed HUD for renovations performed on a property in Reading, Pennsylvania. The settlement resolves allegations that BCEH knowingly submitted duplicate requests for payment for the framing, electrical, and plumbing renovations performed on a single project.
Defendant: Berks County Coalition to End Homelessness
Criminal Charges: Double Billing of HUD Funds
City and State: Reading, Pennsylvania
Exact Date: September 14, 2017, and December 14, 2017
Sentence or Outcome: $121,655 fine
Dollar Amount: $121,655
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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