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Former South Bend Housing Authority Director, Employees Face Federal Charges

Justin Hicks/IPB News

Several former South Bend Housing Authority employees, including its former director, are facing charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and more following a federal investigation.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, five former housing authority employees and contractors allegedly created and cashed fake payment checks for contracting work that didn’t occur. The contractors allegedly "kicked back" a portion of the money to housing authority employees.

 

The release says former Executive Director Tonya Robinson faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, six counts of bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud. 

 

Former housing authority employees Albert Smith and Tyreisha Robinson, as well as two contractors hired by the authority — Archie Robinson and Ronald Taylor — face the same charges.

 

Tonya Robinson, Albert Smith and Tyreisha Robinson were also charged with federal program theft. Tyreisha Robinson faces an additional charge for theft of government money.

 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation first raided the housing authority offices back in 2019. The release says that if convicted, sentencing will be determined and imposed by a federal judge.

 

Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.

 

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Gemma DiCarlo came to Indiana by way of Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and certificates in New Media and Sustainability. She has radio experience from her time as associate producer of Athens News Matters, the flagship public affairs program at WUGA-FM.