Gregory Finkelson, a 64-year-old San Francisco resident, has pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property in connection with his fraudulent receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars in low-income housing benefits.
According to the Department of Justice, Finkelson wrongfully claimed $341,455 in Section 8 Program subsidies by lying about his income and his ownership of a San Francisco residence he purchased in 2005, now valued at approximately $2.4 million. He also claimed to run a business out of his residence, using the funds he fraudulently obtained to benefit himself, including funding his business, paying his credit card bills, and making payments on a timeshare in Hawaii.
The Section 8 Certificate Program is a rent subsidy program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered jointly in San Francisco by HUD and the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA). The program is intended to help low- and moderate-income families afford housing, and it has income limits and other eligibility requirements that applicants must meet to qualify for assistance.
Finkelson admitted that, as part of his scheme, he used the name of a Russian national living in Russia to purchase his San Francisco home, claiming, wrongfully, that she was his landlord and that he made rent payments to her. He also opened several bank accounts, including in the Russian national’s name, and used these bank accounts to conceal his use of the ill-gotten Section 8 Program subsidies.
“This defendant fraudulently obtained housing benefits designated for some of the neediest individuals in our society and used them to enrich himself,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “I am proud of the work this Office does to prosecute those who defraud the government, particularly where, as here, it is low-income families who suffer the most as a result of the defendant’s selfish conduct.”
Finkelson was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 25, 2023, and pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 & 2, for which he faces a statutory maximum prison term of 10 years. In addition, as part of any sentence, the court may order the defendant to pay a fine of up to $250,000 and to serve a term of supervised release of up to three years.
Finkelson is scheduled for sentencing on May 6, 2024, before the Honorable James Donato, United States District Judge. As part of his plea agreement, Finkelson agreed to pay at least $341,455 in restitution, which represents the total amount he admitted he stole from the government.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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