A North Carolina woman is facing federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme that defrauded the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) of millions of dollars.
According to the indictment, Linda Faye Hough, 64, of Rockingham, N.C., is charged with one count of mail fraud and six counts of making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims to a federal program in connection with more than $9 million in DFAP applications.
The scheme allegedly took place from January 2024 to August 2024, during which time Hough submitted fraudulent DFAP applications for herself and others that contained false information. In some instances, she solicited and received kickback payments from applicants after they received DFAP awards.
As a result of the fraudulent applications, it is alleged that Hough caused approximately $9 million in fraudulently obtained DFAP funds to be disbursed to her and other applicants.
Hough had her initial appearance in federal court on today. If convicted, she faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for the mail fraud offense, and five years in prison for each count of filing false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims.
The USDA Office of Inspector General and the FBI handled the investigation with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Financial Crimes.
The charges against Hough are allegations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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