State Crime Reports

Attorney General Madigan: Former Head of Maywood Housing Authority Guilty in Corruption Case


Official Stole Over $400,000 in Low-Income Housing Vouchers

Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2013.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced the former head of the Maywood Housing Authority (MHA) pled guilty on Tuesday and was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing more than $400,000 in public funds intended to help low-income residents pay their rent.

Gwendolyn Robinson, 51, of Elmhurst, pled guilty before Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins in Cook County Circuit Court to theft of over $100,000, a Class 1 felony, and official misconduct, a Class 3 felony. Robinson was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on the theft count and 4 years on the official misconduct count. The sentences are set to be served concurrently.

“Officials who steal public funds betray the trust that is granted to them,” Madigan said. “Ms. Robinson’s scheme to enrich herself not only cheated the families who rely on these public resources to secure safe, affordable housing but also the taxpayers who fund these critical programs.”

Robinson was indicted in July 2011 following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that found Robinson stole more than $400,000 from the MHA while serving as the housing authority’s executive director from May 2006 to November 2009. The investigation revealed Robinson funneled money from housing vouchers intended to benefit low-income renters into a hidden account to make her mortgage payments on her Elmhurst home.

Assistant Attorneys General Paul Bervid, Anshuman Vaidya and Gregg Gansmann handled this case for Madigan’s Criminal Enforcement Division.

Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

 


ARCHIVES