Frances Govan and Penelope Howard, two New York residents were arrested and charged with the unlawful sale, alteration and submission to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) of a falsified Section 8 housing voucher.
The NYCHA Section 8 Housing Assistance Program assists low-income families in providing affordable housing in New York City. Section 8 recipients typically receive a voucher of rent subsidies to assist them in rent.
According to the criminal complaints, Frances Govan was an eligible Section 8 recipient. In November 2009, Govan allegedly sold her Section 8 housing voucher to Howard for money. Howard then purportedly altered the voucher’s expiration date and name, and submitted it to NYCHA Brooklyn office in order to obtain Section 8 benefits.
Govan now faces a maximum penalty of 1 year and 3 months in prison for Conspiracy in the 5th Degree and Conspiracy in the 6th Degree.
Howard now faces a maximum penalty of 14 years and 3 months in prison for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree, Attempted Welfare Fraud in the 4th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 3rd Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 2nd Degree.
If you are charged with or under investigation for NYCHA Section 8 Housing fraud, and need help with getting this fraud conviction expunged, call my office at (212)577-6677 to get professional legal assistance.