Sergio Barajas, Bribery Conspiracy, Nevada 2021

A former regional director of community development for the National Community Stabilization Trust has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sergio Barajas, 54, of Chino Hills, California, worked for the Trust as a regional representative over the western United States. His duties included helping the Trust and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) non-profit organizations locate and buy foreclosed homes under a joint program between the Trust and HUD.

As part of the conspiracy, Barajas accepted bribes from several entities to influence their participation in the program. According to court documents, he received a total of $186,025 from Heartland Coalition, $158,000 from Positive Housing Equations LLC, and $36,711 from a real estate agent in Arizona.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entrusts non-profit organizations to administer HUD programs honestly and creatively to help improve the housing market. Their expertise is critical to stabilizing the nation’s housing economic recovery. When fraud is perpetrated against HUD, a significant impact is made on that recovery. One of the primary goals of the HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse, and present findings to prosecutors; such findings aid in maintaining the integrity of HUD programs.

Barajas pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Barajas to three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by HUD OIG, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Schiess prosecuted the case. The public can submit allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement or whistleblower related matters within HUD and HUD-funded programs to the OIG by calling the HUD OIG Hotline number at 1-800-347-3735 or making an online report at https://www.hudoig.gov/hotline/report-fraud.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/former-regional-director-non-profit-corporation-sentenced-bribery-conspiracy-involving