Quang Smith, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2010

Harvey Homeowner Pleads Guilty to Theft of Home Elevation Grant Funds

In a shocking case of financial misdeed, Quang Smith, age 65, of Harvey, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

According to documents filed in federal court, Quang Smith owned a home in Harvey. In August 2010, Smith executed application documents with the HMGP program to receive federal grant funds to elevate her house in Harvey, Louisiana. The application was completed with the understanding that the grant monies would be used to elevate her house in Harvey, Louisiana.

In early 2011, Smith received federal Home Mitigation Grant Program (“HMGP”) monies totaling $80,000 to elevate her house in Harvey. The monies were electronically transferred into her personal bank account for the elevation project. However, Smith failed to use the grant monies to elevate her residence. Instead, she converted the federal funds for her own personal use and never elevated her home.

The maximum penalty for theft of government funds is ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for February 24, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney, Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.

With the guilty plea, Quang Smith faces a maximum of ten years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2016.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/harvey-homeowner-pleads-guilty-theft-home-elevation-grant-funds