Sandy Nguyen Sentenced for HUD Theft Scheme

HOUSTON WOMAN Nhung Tuyet Nguyen, 44, known as Sandy Nguyen, has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison for stealing $393,583 from a federal housing assistance program meant for low-income tenants at Beverly Place Apartments in Groves, Texas.

Nguyen, who worked as an assistant manager at the complex from October 2007 to December 2015, pleaded guilty on July 26, 2016, to theft of government property. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone handed down the sentence today in the Eastern District of Texas, where Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston confirmed the conviction.

Court documents reveal Nguyen enrolled at least five unsuspecting tenants in HUD rental and utility assistance programs without their knowledge or consent. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) then paid their monthly rent directly to the apartment complex—rent the tenants were still forced to pay in full.

Nguyen required tenants to hand over cash or money orders for market-rate rent, even though HUD had already covered the costs. She pocketed the duplicate payments, using the illicit funds for personal use while leaving victims in the dark about their own subsidized status.

The fraud spanned from June 2007 to December 2015 and resulted in a total loss to HUD of $393,583.00. As part of her sentencing, Nguyen has been ordered to pay full restitution to the federal agency.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice prosecuted the case, underscoring ongoing federal scrutiny of housing subsidy abuse in federally funded rental properties across Texas.