Loren Family Sentenced in $336K HUD Fraud Scheme

Three blood relatives of the late Lorena Loren, former executive director of the St. Clair Housing Commission, were hauled off to federal prison today after admitting their roles in a brazen scheme to siphon more than $336,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The scam targeted HUD’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, robbing desperately needed housing subsidies from low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled across St. Clair County, Michigan.

Brian Loren, 61, husband of the deceased ringleader Lorena Loren, was sentenced to 9 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit federal program fraud involving approximately $73,000. Court records reveal Brian Loren teamed up with his wife and an unnamed accomplice to open a joint account at PNC Bank in Deland, Florida. From August 2014 to August 2016, fraudulent Section 8 rental subsidy payments were funneled into that account, enriching the Loren family while starving the program meant to help the poor.

Ryan Loren, 36, son of Lorena Loren, received an 11-month sentence after admitting he lied to HUD about his residency to illegally collect between $40,000 and $95,000 in federal housing funds. His deceit didn’t end there — he later perjured himself before a federal grand jury, doubling down on lies meant to obstruct justice. Kayla Loren, 33, Ryan’s wife and daughter-in-law of Lorena, was handed the same 11-month term for identical crimes. She falsified information about household occupancy from August 2010 through August 2016 to fraudulently claim HUD funds, then lied under oath during grand jury testimony.

The late Lorena Loren had already pleaded guilty and served 37 months in prison before her death, admitting she orchestrated the theft of $336,000 in federal funds meant to support public housing. Her family’s betrayal of public trust didn’t just break the law — it gutted a lifeline for vulnerable citizens. The Section 8 program is designed to ensure safe, stable housing for those who can’t afford it. Instead, the Loren family turned it into a piggy bank.

Before sentencing, all three defendants — Brian, Ryan, and Kayla Loren — paid $99,835.29 in restitution to HUD, as required by their plea deals. In total, $336,340.22 has now been repaid to the agency through the prosecutions of the Loren family members. But no check can fully repair the damage done to the integrity of federally funded housing programs or the families who were pushed further to the margins.

U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison blasted the defendants, praising the investigative work of the HUD Office of Inspector General and the FBI. “The HUD Section 8 program serves some of the neediest in our community,” Ison said. “We are committed to prosecuting public officials who steal from any federal program and anyone who assists in depriving lawfully-entitled citizens of vital assistance. We are equally committed to prosecuting anyone who lies before a grand jury. Truthful testimony under oath is the foundation of the American system of justice. There will be penalties for those who attempt to erode that.”

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