HUD Fraud arrest

[wrobert]

Tom Baker was a candidate for Sheriff four years ago. Great to see his talents are being used by the taxpayers to work on what is a very important, and often abused, government assistance program.



From WZEP news:

HUD Fraud Arrest

As the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General, Investigations Division, Walter A. Carman, Sr. of DeFuniak Springs was arrested and convicted of Theft of Government Property. Carman was also charged with Social Security Fraud. The Theft of Government Property charge was the result of fraud against the local HUD Section 8 program where some $4,490.00 was overpaid for rental assistance on the behalf of Carman. Carman pled guilty to the charges and was ordered to make restitution to the local Section 8 program by the Federal Court. He is now on five years probation.

Walton County Housing Director, Tom Baker, implemented an Agency Integrity Program about a year ago that directed efforts to identify true family income, employment status, and actual family size of all tenants being assisted by the Section 8 program. Baker says that over one hundred thousand dollars have been identified as being overpaid to tenants due to inaccurate information being supplied to agency employees about income, family size and employment.

Baker says they have a responsibility to not pay one penny more than is needed to support the low income rental assistance program. He says the taxpayers work hard to support the program and it is important every penny spent can be justified as needed by the recipients. Baker says they are available to help any one truly in need and will do all they can to supply this safety net for the citizens.

Currently some 10 tenants of the local Section 8 program are under federal investigation. Baker says they will not tolerate fraud and will expend the needed effort to insure that all is being done to educate tenants to eliminate fraud and overpayments.

 

[sunspotbaby]

I remember Tom from the election last time around. He came in the Sun often and I always enjoyed talking to him. looks like he is working hard for taxpayers...Thanks Tom and thanks wr for posting this.

 

[Andy A]

This is exactly the type of fraud that should be investigated. It should apply to such areas as unemployment payments and the food stamp program and other similar programs as well. Please do not misconscrue what I am saying. I am not implying these programs should not exist or should not be used by those in need. I am only saying I have a real problem with those who abuse systems set up to help people, but instead, takes away from them by illegal use of available funds.

 

[Miss Kitty]

One down, a million or so to go.

 

[beachmouse]

Good to hear. The waiting lists for any sort of welfare program are always so long and the need is so high that I hate to see people abuse the system when there are so many other honest families in need of a break who just might get it if we can get reduce fraud and abuse of the system.

 

[The Watcher]

Hatch Act

Tom Baker was a candidate for Sheriff four years ago. Great to see his talents are being used by the taxpayers to work on what is a very important, and often abused, government assistance program.



From WZEP news:

HUD Fraud Arrest

As the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General, Investigations Division, Walter A. Carman, Sr. of DeFuniak Springs was arrested and convicted of Theft of Government Property. Carman was also charged with Social Security Fraud. The Theft of Government Property charge was the result of fraud against the local HUD Section 8 program where some $4,490.00 was overpaid for rental assistance on the behalf of Carman. Carman pled guilty to the charges and was ordered to make restitution to the local Section 8 program by the Federal Court. He is now on five years probation.

Walton County Housing Director, Tom Baker, implemented an Agency Integrity Program about a year ago that directed efforts to identify true family income, employment status, and actual family size of all tenants being assisted by the Section 8 program. Baker says that over one hundred thousand dollars have been identified as being overpaid to tenants due to inaccurate information being supplied to agency employees about income, family size and employment.

Baker says they have a responsibility to not pay one penny more than is needed to support the low income rental assistance program. He says the taxpayers work hard to support the program and it is important every penny spent can be justified as needed by the recipients. Baker says they are available to help any one truly in need and will do all they can to supply this safety net for the citizens.

Currently some 10 tenants of the local Section 8 program are under federal investigation. Baker says they will not tolerate fraud and will expend the needed effort to insure that all is being done to educate tenants to eliminate fraud and overpayments.

If he was with HUD when he ran for office, he would be in direct violation of the Hatch Act. Does anyone know if he was in this position at the time? If so, where was our wonderful Sheriff Johnson???

 

[wrobert]

If he was with HUD when he ran for office, he would be in direct violation of the Hatch Act. Does anyone know if he was in this position at the time? If so, where was our wonderful Sheriff Johnson???

No he was not. This gives me pause because in the past you had posted quite a bit of information leading me to believe that you knew who all the players were in this county. To not know something like this is pretty amazing, especially since the guy was a candidate with a very impressive resume' back then. I am now of the opinion that this Watcher nome de plume, is a shared account with many others.