Overview:
Federal authorities have arrested Yvonette Joseph, a former Massachusetts resident, for allegedly defrauding a COVID-19 emergency rental program of over $100,000. Officials say she falsely claimed to be a landlord in California and sent some funds overseas.
A woman formerly from Holliston, Mass., was arrested this week for allegedly defrauding a federal COVID-19 rental assistance program out of more than $100,000.
Yvonette Joseph, 45, now living in Minneapolis, was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with theft of government money. She appeared in federal court in Minnesota and is scheduled to appear in Boston at a later date, federal authorities said.
The charges stem from funds distributed through the Emergency Rental Assistance program, a federal initiative launched in 2021 to help low-income households struggling with housing costs during the pandemic.
According to court records, Joseph allegedly received the funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development after applicants falsely listed her as a landlord of a Los Angeles property. Authorities say she later wired a portion of the money to a bank account in Nigeria and used the rest for personal expenses.
If convicted, Joseph faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or double the amount of financial gain.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Inspector General is also involved in the investigation.
This is a developing story.