NYC Fraud Sweep In Connection w/ Alleged Section 8 Housing Subsidy Ripoffs Bags 17 Tenants; Total Pinched In Ongoing Probe Now Up To 39 This Year, Costing City $1.4 Million In Fraudulently Obtained Public Housing Assistance

In New York City, the New York Post reports:

• Another 17 people have been caught ripping off the federally subsidized Section 8 housing program, authorities announced [].
  
  With the latest fraud sweep, the city Department of Investigation has collared 39 people on charges of collecting $1.4 million in undeserved public-housing subsidies so far this year.
  
  “These fraudsters engaged in the most reprehensible kind of conduct — stealing scarce housing resources from our most vulnerable citizens while at the same time lining their own pockets,” said Comptroller Scott Stringer.
  
  Of the latest arrests, 11 involved renters hiding the presence and income of a family member to make them eligible for subsidies.
  
  Other alleged scams included concealing a familial relationship between landlord and tenant and illegally renting out a subsidized apartment to a friend.
  
  “This pernicious fraud undermines government’s efforts to ensure affordable housing for some of the most vulnerable in New York City,” said DOI Commissioner Mark Peters.

Source: Dozens busted for ripping off public housing program.