Official Who Heads County Department That Doles Out Emergency Financial Assistance For Rent/Mortgage Payments, Other Housing Expenses Gets 12 Years For Fleecing Over $200K From Program

In El Paso, Texas, the El Paso Times reports:

• A former director of the El Paso County General Assistance program pleaded guilty [] to felony theft of over $200,000 and misapplication of fiduciary property, according to county court documents.
  
  Antonio Natera, 65, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He pleaded guilty in the 346th District Court, with Judge Angie Juarez Barill presiding.
  
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  The county's General Assistance program helps residents with emergency rent or mortgage payments, emergency utility assistance and food vouchers for families facing loss of income. The program also helps with funeral and burial needs through the pauper burial program. The program is income-based, and residents must demonstrate an emergency and need for assistance.

For more, see Ex-county employee pleads guilty to felony theft.