The former Manager of the renovated complex in Detroit, pleaded guilty to receiving bribes from potential residents.
Lucrecia Frank admitted that he took cash from potential tenants in the former Colony Arms complex, which was financed by the Federal government and transformed from a “crime hot spots” in decent housing. The Manager took bribes for moving to a higher line in the list of standing in line for housing future tenants, said in a statement investigators, reports Detroitnews.
Among the bribe-givers is one homeless person who was waiting for his own home, living in a shelter with his two small children.
“Bribery on the part of those who are being asked to provide housing financed from the Federal budget in an economically disadvantageous time is cruelty, which can not withstand any excuses,” said U.S. attorney Matthew Schneider. “It’s not just a breach of public trust, but the use of those with low income, and who are desperate for housing for themselves and their families.”
Action Frank is also “devastated the family, financial difficulties, and did not allow those who desperately needed, to access to affordable housing,” said Timothy R. Slater, special agent in charge of Detroit division of the FBI . “The FBI and our law enforcement officers remain committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who seeks to take advantage of those in our communities through such insidious criminal schemes.
The final verdict of 41-year-old woman will be held on December 6, U.S. district judge Terrence Berg. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 250 thousand dollars.
Frank was the Manager in the apartments known back then as Colony and Fisher Arms, in 2013, the same year the police put up more than 600 service requests there. The Jefferson Avenue complex had more requests for help than anywhere else in Detroit, making it the “most problematic” address of the city, investigators said at the time.
