In a shocking case of embezzlement, a home builder has been convicted of stealing from a federal housing grant program in Nevada.
William Aubrey, 69, of Mesquite, Nevada, was convicted of two counts of conversion of money and funds from a tribal organization, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 7, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson.
Aubrey faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.
The Navajo Nation counted on the monies stolen by the defendant to provide housing for its members, said U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden. “This defendant stole from the tribe and from the American people, and used the monies to finance an extravagant lifestyle.”
According to the court records and the evidence introduced at trial, the Navajo Nation is a federally recognized sovereign Indian Tribe whose borders encompass a large portion of Arizona and extend into New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo Nation receives an average of $90 million from HUD annually in grant funds.
A Navajo Nation non-profit corporation, the Fort Defiance Housing Corporation, was responsible for the development of safe and affordable housing on the Navajo Nation lands. Fort Defiance was also a sub-grantee for the HUD grant funds.
Beginning in 1996 and continuing to 2004, Fort Defiance contracted with a private housing development company, Lodgebuilder, to develop the housing projects. Lodgebuilder is owned and operated by William Aubrey. Lodgebuilder and Aubrey managed several housing development projects for Fort Defiance from approximately 2000 to 2004.
RELATED: Illegally Reentering US, Honduran National Gets 18 Months for Social Security Scam
RELATED: Houston Gun Builder Joffre Cross III Back Behind Bars
Related Federal Cases
- Live Nation Faces Lone Fight: NY AG Rejects DOJ Deal · Washington
- Live Nation & Ticketmaster Face Antitrust Fight in NY · Washington
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Robert Ryan Powell Gets 16+ Years for Sex Trafficking · New Mexico
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime