Section 8 Fraud
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Overseen by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Section 8 housing program gives private landlords government money to help cover rental and other costs for approved low-income tenants.
Landlords, those who live in Section 8 housing and those who work with Section 8 applicants, all risk being indicted for Section 8 fraud if they take part in any scheme to defraud the government of Section 8 funds. If you are charged, it will be critical to have an experienced defense attorney by your side.
What You Need To Know About Section 8 Fraud
Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937 was created in the last years of the Great Depression to give low-income people a place to live. Today more than three million people live in Section 8 housing.
It is against the law for landlords to violate Section 8 regulations — usually this means misrepresenting expenses for the space being rented out so the government overpays.
For example, a landlord who defrauds the Section 8 program by submitting fraudulent information about the utilities they provide so they can receive more government compensation then they are owed, can be indicted.
If you apply for Section 8 housing, it is illegal to provide false information on your application, such as misrepresenting your income. If you do so, you risk being charged with Section 8 fraud. If someone helps you perpetrate the fraud, they can also be charged and may face additional charges such as conspiracy.
Social workers who help families obtain Section 8 housing can also risk housing fraud charges if they overstep the input they give on applications and encourage applicants to provide fraudulent information.
If you are convicted of Section 8 fraud, the severity of your penalties will depend on how large-scale the fraud is and your prior criminal convictions.
How A Lawyer Will Help
When you are up against a fraud charge, you will be facing inflexible laws and a determined US prosecutor. You will need an attorney who can help you determine all of your options and achieve the best outcome for your circumstances.
United States Code
Read more about federal criminal offenses in the United States Code.
Questions? Contact us today.
If you are charged with a federal crime, the consequences can be devastating. Fienman Defense will fight tenaciously to protect your constitutional rights. We will guide you through a court system that can be complex and intimidating, and provide you with the strongest possible defense.