BEAUMONT, Texas - A 44-year-old Houston woman has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
Nhung Tuyet Nguyen, also known as Sandy Nguyen, pleaded guilty on July 26, 2016, to theft of government property and was sentenced to 22months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
According to information presented in court, from October 2007 to December 2015, Nguyen was employed by the Beverly Place Apartments in Groves, Texas as an assistant Manager. As part of her job responsibilities, Nguyen assisted potential tenants in applying for U.S. housing and Urban Development (HUD) benefits for rental assistance and utility assistance. The rental and utility assistance programs are designed to help low-income individuals offset housing rental and utility costs with funds provided by HUD. In June 2007, Nguyen began applying for HUD rental assistance and utility assistance benefits without the tenants’ knowledge or consent. As a result, HUD provided funds to Beverly Place Apartments to cover tenants’ monthly rental fees. Nguyen required tenants, who were unaware HUD had already paid their monthly rent, to pay full market price for their apartments in cash or money orders. Nguyen would then take the cash or money orders and use them for her personal benefit. Nguyen enrolled at least five tenants in HUD rental and utility assistance programs without their knowledge. As a result, Nguyen caused a total loss to HUD of $393,583.00 and was ordered to pay that amount in restitution to the agency.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Tortorice.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
