Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LACEY BLAND, 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to three years of probation, the first six months of which BLAND must spend in home confinement, for making false statements to receive federal funds. BLAND also was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, BLAND was a potential witness in a federal matter. After BLAND reported concerns about her safety, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought and obtained authorization to provide Emergency Witness Assistance Program (EWAP) funds for her to change her residence. BLAND subsequently told an employee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that she had found a new residence and that a rental check in the amount of $3,600 should to made payable to a person she stated was the landlord’s wife. BLAND also requested $399 in cash for payment to the movers.
An investigation revealed that the “landlord’s wife" was, in fact, an associate of BLAND’s who was unrelated to the landlord or premises to which BLAND stated she was moving. BLAND never received EWAP funds.
On June 25, 2015, BLAND pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to law enforcement.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
