Investigators arrest Section 8 cheating suspects

Atlanta Constitution ^ | 1 Sep 10 | Craig Schneider and Rhonda Cook

[SkyPilot]

Georgia investigators started arresting about 80 people around the state Wednesday for allegedly lying their way into federally funded Section 8 housing.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan said 63 people were arrested by Wednesday evening and more will follow in coming weeks. The announcement of further arrests was intended as a threat toward Section 8 cheaters across the state.

Keenan invited those who have erred on their Section 8 forms to come forward, since they could receive leniency. Those found cheating would have to leave the housing and pay back what they owe, but they might not face prosecution, he said.

"A person who receives housing benefits that they are not entitled to steals taxpayer money," Keenan said.

The arrest sweeps targeted people who have lied about their income and the number of people in their household in order to obtain a subsidy that can pay upwards of three quarters of their rent. Some of those arrested said they earn less money than they actually do. Some did not admit to having a second job or acknowledge they had additional people living in the home who added to the household income.

Many have been bilking the system for years, officials said.

[SkyPilot]

My oh my.

The more they dig, the more fraud they will find. I guarantee it.

It was only 2 weeks ago that there was a "near riot" in Atlanta over handing out applications for Section 8.

MOB RUSH FOR FED AID DRAWS RIOT POLICE

[FES0844]

Was Charlie Rangel arrested too???!!!!!!!!!!!

[martin_fierro]

Teh Pie.

They haz it.

[kittymyrib]

Perhaps some of them were illegal aliens,though this possibility wasn’t mentioned in article.

[evets]

OBAMAVILLE

[SkyPilot]

This is one of my favorite Charlie the Crooks quotes:

"It's not 'sp—' or 'n——-' anymore; they just say, 'Let's cut taxes!"

That is an actual quote.

The nerve of these people amazes me.

[Frantzie]

They just want some of Obama’s stash. I bet some of these people had a job when Bush was President.

[kcvl]

Many have been bilking the system for years, officials said.

No *hit, Sherlock!

[hosepipe]

It must be embarassing to be called a democrat UNLESS you’re a democrat... who have no shame..

[humblegunner]

Now I know where my pie at.

[RingerSIX]

The real kick here is that the USA is producing people who are not only liars, but who would lie to get INTO a section 8 apartment. If I were going to lie, it would be to get the hell OUT OF section 8 apartments.

[Moonman62]

The real kick here is that the USA is producing people who are not only liars, but who would lie to get INTO a section 8 apartment. If I were going to lie, it would be to get the hell OUT OF section 8 apartments.

Maybe that's because Section 8 is vouchers to live in apartments in nice neighborhoods.

[null and void]

ping

[ebersole]

Producing Cash for Trash...another failed government program

[Niuhuru]

I knwo a lot of FReepers are against it, but I myself am on SSD and I will NEVER use Section 8. I have enough (770.00 a month) and that is plenty to get a pretty decent place and live well, since I do get stamps. A lot of people get pretty fat checks on benefits and they should be able to pay their own way.

My mom was mental (due to a lifetime of abuse) and I understand why she did it, but I will NEVER understand why these perfectly able bodied and able minded people are so EAGER to take every freebie they can get. It’s disgusting.

[TribalPrincess2U]

Alright!!

We knew this crap happens and it’s
great when they do something about it, finally!

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

Yes, I was going to say that.

Section 8 gives them gobs of money so that they can move to a part of town that hasn’t been totally ruined yet.

I went to see an apartment in a nice apartment building with lots of pools all around it near my home — as I was walking down the halls I noticed that there were no plants, no pictures, no lights, no benches to sit down upon... it seemed very strange.

I turned to the real estate agent and asked him why everything that was portable had been taken away... and he told me the answer. Section 8. I had never heard of it before.

And then my friends told me, that if I rented in that building, I had to be very very careful that my wife and children did not get raped out by the pool or in the hallways.

Thanks Democrats!

You certainly have helped make America a wonderful place — what used to be my America! Wife and kids getting raped by the swimming pool! Isn’t that a wonderful idea! I sure am happy I paid all those taxes all those years...

[CPT Clay]

Good form!!!

[ßuddaßudd]

Maybe they could teach all those people how to whittle, farm, raise rabbitts or something.

[JoanneSD]

Section 8 vouchers are not only for apartments.. you can rent any thing, as long as the amount charged for rent does not exceed the allowed amt set by section 8. you can rent a 10 bed room house as long as the price is in the range, and the land lord takes section 8.. I personally am on section 8, as a senior citizen I appreciate this valuable tool, to make my check go further.. I rent a duplex, in a nice neighborhood.. all section 8 ppl are not vagrants.. and you can have assets, a new car or what ever, as long as you report it to your worker..