A federal jury convicted Sohaib Akhter, 34, of Alexandria, Virgina, today on charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, password trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.“Sohaib Akhter harmed Americans who trusted their government with personal information and sensitive requests,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His conviction shows that getting fired from…

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former employee of New York City Housing Authority’s Throggs Neck Houses was indicted on Grand Larceny, Bribe Receiving and other public corruption-related charges for allegedly defrauding people of more than $20,000 by falsely claiming he would secure them better apartments. District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant allegedly used his position as a NYCHA employee to…

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond woman was sentenced today to three years in prison for wire fraud in connection with her operation of a homeless shelter focused on women and children.According to court documents, Kia A. Player, 41, won a grant to operate an inclement weather shelter for homeless women and children in the Richmond metropolitan area, named RVA Sister’s Keeper. RVA Sister’s Keeper obtained over $995,000 in governmental funding from the…

Two Virginia men were arrested today for their roles in a conspiracy to destroy government databases hosted by a federal government contractor, among other crimes.“These defendants abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information. Their actions jeopardized the security of government systems and disrupted agencies’ ability to serve the American people,” said Acting Assistant…

Less Than 22 Months After the Arrests—Which Were the Largest Number of Federal Bribery Charges on a Single Day in Department of Justice History—All 70 Charged Defendants Have Pled Guilty or Were Convicted at Trial for Accepting Cash PaymentsUnited States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), Jocelyn E. Strauber, Acting Inspector General of the U.S…

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond woman pled guilty yesterday to wire fraud in connection with her operation of a homeless shelter focused on women and children.According to court documents, Kia A. Player, 41, won a grant to operate an inclement weather shelter for homeless women and children in the Richmond metropolitan area, named RVA Sister’s Keeper. RVA Sister’s Keeper obtained over $995,000 in governmental funding from the United States Department…

Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that COREY GILMORE, a former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for soliciting and accepting approximately $32,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding repair contracts or approving repair work worth at least approximately $215,000.  GILMORE’s sentence was…

Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that HECTOR COLON, a former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for soliciting and accepting approximately $30,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding repair contracts or approving repair work worth at least approximately $400,000.  COLON’s sentence was imposed by U.S…

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOY HARRIS, a former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for soliciting and accepting over $50,000 in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding those contractors at least approximately $500,000 in contract work.  HARRIS’s sentence was imposed by U.S.…

Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JUAN MERCADO, a former superintendent for the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”), was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for soliciting and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding those contractors no-bid contracts or approving payment on previously awarded contracts at NYCHA…

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and race-based interference with housing and employment.According to court documents, David L. Merryman, 59, owned 39 rental properties in Newport News and 23 more in Hampton.  Many of Merryman’s rental properties were in poor condition and located in low-income neighborhoods. He primarily rented the properties to…

Defendants Admit Violations and Agree to Pay $6.5 Million in Penalties and Restitution and to Undertake Broad Remediation of Their Housing PortfolioDamian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa F. Garcia, the Regional Administrator for Region 2 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”); Matthew Ammon, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Office of Lead Hazard…

In the Third Trial Following a 70-Person Takedown in February 2024, Corey Gilmore, a Former New York City Housing Authority Superintendent, was Convicted of Bribery and Extortion for Accepting Cash from NYCHA Contractors in Exchange for Awarding ContractsDamian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Corey Gilmore, a former NYCHA superintendent, was convicted of bribery and extortion under…

Real Estate Company Owner Conspired to Purchase Brooklyn Real Estate at Fraudulently Depressed Short Sale Prices, Costing Mortgage Loan Holders Millions of DollarsA federal jury in  Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict  yesterday against Avraham Tarshish for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and related wire fraud counts, in connection with a scheme to defraud mortgage loan holders, including the Federal National…

In the Second Trial Following a 70-Person Takedown in February 2024, Hector Colon, a Former New York City Housing Authority Superintendent, Was Convicted of Bribery and Extortion for Accepting Cash From NYCHA Contractors in Exchange for Awarding ContractsDamian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”); William S…