Posted on 03/21/2006 5:43:56 AM PST by Calpernia
A former state worker pleaded guilty on Monday to charges related to her taking more than 866 (t) thousand public funds meant for a housing and rental-assistance program. Robin Wheeler-Hicks pleaded guilty in state Superior Court in Mercer County to second-degree bribery and theft by deception.
The 46-year-old Elizabeth resident is a former Department of Community Affairs senior field representative in Union County. In pleading guilty, she admitted she submitted at least 428 false applications to the state's Homelessness Prevention Program.
Under the terms of her plea, Wheeler-Hicks faces up to seven years in state prison and a nearly 831 (t) thousand restitution payment. Prosecution is still pending for two co-defendants -- Tashime Mitchell and Renita Livingston.
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"The Homelessness Prevention Program was created to help families that face imminent loss of housing for a reason beyond their control. It's appalling that someone would attempt to use this program for their own personal gain," said state Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin.
Under the terms of her plea, Wheeler-Hicks faces up to seven years in state prison and an $830,901 restitution payment.
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http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1142921231291500.xml&coll=1
Official gets 7 years for swiping aid for needy
$866,560 scam also profited kin, friends
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"She had sole responsibility within that county for making sure that all the terms and conditions of compliance were followed," state Criminal Justice Director Gregory Paw said. "Instead of doing her job, Wheeler-Hicks used the program as her own personal piggy bank to help her family and friends."
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"She had sole responsibility within that county for making sure that all the terms and conditions of compliance were followed," state Criminal Justice Director Gregory Paw said. "Instead of doing her job, Wheeler-Hicks used the program as her own personal piggy bank to help her family and friends."
In pleading guilty to bribery, Wheeler-Hicks admitted she took bribes worth $50 to $300 to process more than 400 fraudulent rental-assistance applications between January 1995 and August 2004.
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Under one scenario sketched out by authorities, Wheeler-Hicks and a landlord would team up to submit a fake application claiming a person facing homelessness wanted to take an apartment at the landlord's building. The state would send the landlord a check to cover the fictitious person's rent. The landlord and Wheeler-Hicks would pocket the money.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1352722/posts
New Jersey - Corruption and Scandal BUMP LIST
The same thing has been going on in New Orleans for the past 8 months. I wonder when they will do something about that in LA>
I probably am totally wrong for assuming that - with friends named Tashime Mitchell and Renita Livingston I am sure the woman is of pure Irish background.
She lives in Elizabeth and does claims processing in Irvington. That right there tells me she is black. I don't know of any white woman that can cross that turf.
JMO
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