Latest news with #EmergencyRentalAssistance
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Third woman in Geminus theft case sentenced to probation in federal court
A third woman tied to the Geminus Corporation Emergency Rental Assistance funds theft was given probation, largely because the judge wanted to make a point. By sentencing Chermell Ellis Thursday to probation and restitution of $90,950, U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon wanted to show that if someone accused cooperates, they too can earn a lesser sentence. Had she not cooperated as she did, it would've been a different story, he said during her sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Hammond. 'Had you not cooperated, I'd have sent you to jail,' Simon said. 'But you responded the best way you could, and people will be rewarded if they do that.' In the plea deal she accepted in November, Ellis pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and was facing 8 to 14 months in prison, with 1 to 3 years supervised release, according to court documents. Ellis, in her defense, said that getting involved with that scheme was the 'deepest regret of her life.' 'I have no excuse, and I take full responsibility,' a visibly shaken Ellis said. 'I put my daughter in a position she never deserved to be in.' Ellis — along with Valencia Franklin and Gloria White, who were sentenced last month for their roles — was accused of misappropriating $636,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance funds destined to help renters hang on to their residences during the pandemic by creating false landlords to fraudulently request money from the program, according to an independent audit by an Indianapolis accounting firm. Geminus Corp. discovered discrepancies in its records, which led to finding out about the potential fraud in July 2022, according to Bill Trowbridge, president and CEO of Geminus and its umbrella organization, Regional Care Group. The nonprofit service agency based in Merrillville immediately contacted the U.S. Department of the Treasury and fired Franklin, as well as alerted the accounting firm that does its annual audit. The audit, released in January 2023, covered fiscal years ending in June 2021 and 2022. The $636,000 figure is what Geminus 'had strong suspicions' was fraudulent and reported to the feds and the agency's auditors, Trowbridge has said. Geminus received $40 million in federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program as a pass-through agency, distributing the money throughout Lake County during the pandemic. Franklin was sentenced to two years and $352,300 in restitution for her part, while White was given 24 months' probation and $177,800 in restitution, the Post-Tribune previously reported. Each woman's restitution amount will be given to Geminus as a joint and several liability, Simon said.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
White receives probation in scheme to defraud rental assistance
A woman who pled guilty in a scheme to defraud the federal rental assistance program of a Merrillville-based not-for-profit agency has received probation. Along with 24 months of probation, Gloria White will be required to repay Geminus Corp. $177,800, United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon ruled at her Thursday morning sentencing in Hammond. White, 60, who entered a plea in November, initially was facing 21 to 27 months in prison. Simon told White he feels 'like a broken record' in dealing with cases involving public funds because he views them as a 'breach of public trust.' 'During the pandemic, when people were genuinely afraid, Congress finally did something to stem the tide of impending disaster and came up with this construct — rental assistance — to keep people in their homes,' he said. 'I'm really offended by this behavior of people taking advantage of these systems, and I think most fair-minded people feel the same way.' White and fellow employee Valencia Franklin were accused of misappropriating Emergency Rental Assistance funds destined to help renters hang on to their residences during the pandemic by creating false landlords to fraudulently request money from the program, according to an independent audit by an Indianapolis accounting firm. Geminus Corp. discovered discrepancies in its records which led to finding out about the potential fraud in July 2022, according to Bill Trowbridge, president and CEO of Geminus and its umbrella organization, Regional Care Group, the Post-Tribune previously reported. The nonprofit service agency based in Merrillville immediately contacted the U.S. Department of the Treasury and fired Franklin, as well as alerted the accounting firm that does its annual audit. The audit, released in January 2023, covered fiscal years ending in June 2021 and 2022. The $636,000 figure is what Geminus 'had strong suspicions' was fraudulent and reported to the feds and the agency's auditors, Trowbridge said. Geminus received $40 million in federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program as a pass-through agency, distributing the money throughout Lake County during the pandemic. Franklin was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this month. Simon credited White's attorney, Luis Sanchez, for counseling her to 'do the right thing' and cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's office. 'When you're in a hole, you need to stop digging, and you did that,' Simon said. 'You've earned (probation as the sentence) through cooperation. 'You're a lovely woman who made a really bad decision — rarely do I see someone come before me with not so much as a parking ticket — but you do have the burden of being a convicted felon now.' White apologized to Simon, the court, her family, friends, community, and twin sister for her crime.
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Former Geminus employee sentenced to two years for stealing federal funds
A former employee of a Merrillville-based not-for-profit service agency was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday morning after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud in February. United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced Valencia Franklin of Lynwood, Illinois, to 24 months in prison followed by a year of supervised release in the U.S. District Court Northern Indiana in Hammond. Franklin, 52, was also ordered to pay $352,300 in restitution to Geminus Corporation, her former employer. Franklin was accused of misappropriating $636,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance funds destined to help renters hang on to their residences during the pandemic by creating false landlords to fraudulently request money from the program, according to an independent audit by an Indianapolis accounting firm. Geminus Corp. discovered discrepancies in its records which led to finding out about the potential fraud in July 2022, according to Bill Trowbridge, president and CEO of Geminus and its umbrella organization, Regional Care Group. The nonprofit service agency based in Merrillville immediately contacted the U.S. Department of the Treasury and fired Franklin, as well as alerted the accounting firm that does its annual audit. The audit, released in January 2023, covered fiscal years ending in June 2021 and 2022. The $636,000 figure is what Geminus 'had strong suspicions' was fraudulent and reported to the feds and the agency's auditors, Trowbridge said. Geminus received $40 million in federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program as a pass-through agency, distributing the money throughout Lake County during the pandemic. During the often emotional hearing, Franklin's attorney, Adam Sheppard, pointed to the adversity Franklin overcame in her life and the fact that she 'didn't try to shift the blame' of her crime to anyone else as mitigating factors. Originally, sentencing guidelines had Franklin facing between 41 months and 51 months. 'Look at the adversity she's overcome: a teenage pregnancy, but then she got her GED, then her associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a (certified public accountant) degree,' Sheppard said. 'It was a crime of opportunity and greed, and she spent the money on basic needs. There were no luxury cars; she was supporting family and friends — her youngest son and her ailing mother, for whom she's the primary caregiver. 'She recognizes she's jeopardized her freedom.' Veronica Hill, Franklin's friend since they were in fifth grade, said Franklin has always 'given her all' to make sure everyone else was Ok. 'When we would play ding-dong ditch, Valencia wouldn't play because she was afraid of getting in trouble,' Hill said through tears. 'She has a fear of authority, and she wouldn't do anything to harm the government. It's not who she is.' In her statement to the court, Franklin — who wept through most of it — said she had 'no excuses' for 'the embarrassment she brought to her family and employer.' 'I was tempted by the easy way out. I failed my job, I failed my community,' she said. 'I let down a young, underprivileged lady, and she deserved better. So did everyone else I failed. 'I will carry the weight of that for the rest of my life. I'm not trying to escape punishment, but I'm asking for mercy.' Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Wolff agreed the case was sad, but said it was also intentional. 'She did the first one for her son, but then she did it again and again and again. It wasn't a passive scheme,' Wolff said. Simon said he has 'very little concern' that Franklin will ever re-offend, but he had to send a message to the community that stealing from the Federal government will not go unanswered. 'You used family members as props in a jaw-dropping level of criminality,' Simon said. 'And a year after, when you were supposed to send out 1099s for recipients of the money to report it to the IRS, you made efforts that they didn't receive them. You said you're ashamed — well, you ought to be ashamed. 'You were one of the few success stories of the system, and you've thrown it away. But you've totally owned this, which is important for getting it behind you.' Simon gave Franklin until 2 p.m. August 28 to report to prison, and he said he will see to it that she's close enough to family for their support. Franklin will likely receive 54 days of good behavior toward her sentence, meaning she'll serve 85% of her sentence, Sheppard said, after which she'll be moved to a halfway house to complete it. He was pleased with the outcome. 'Judge was very thoughtful with the sentencing, and he was considerate,' Sheppard said. Franklin and her family declined comment through Sheppard.
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Kane County offering rent and utility assistance to renters at risk of losing housing
Renters in Kane County who are behind on payments and at risk of eviction can apply for rent and utility help through July 31 as part of the county's Homeless Prevention Program, according to a press release from the county. The program is meant to help pay rent and utility bills that are past-due up to 12 months, up to three months of future rent and security deposits for rentals. Residents in the county are eligible if they earn 80% of the area median income or less, live in a rental unit in the county, are behind on rent or utilities or live in unsafe or overcrowded housing, have lost income or received unemployment and haven't received other federal rental assistance during the same time and haven't applied for this program before. County residents can apply at this link: Applications will be taken through July 31, the county said. Processing applications can take six to eight weeks, according to the county. Individuals with questions about the program can contact Kim Lovely at LovelyKim@ or 630-444-1231, or Brittny Garcia at GarciaBrittny@ or 630-232-5871 for assistance in Spanish. The program is federally funded as part of the United States Treasury Department's Emergency Rental Assistance program, a county spokesperson said. The federal program was meant to provide housing stability for renters during the COVID-19 pandemic, per the Treasury Department's website. Funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program expires and therefore must be spent by Sept. 30, 2025, according to the Treasury Department's website. The county does not expect to apply for more federal funding for the program going forward, the county spokesperson said, and instead plans to start a different, grant-funded program through the county health department.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brown County could spend $3.5 million on new Green Bay fire station and apartment complex
Brown County could spend $3.5 million on Green Bay's new fire station and apartment complex. The county's Human Services Committee meets April 16 to discuss a proposed resolution to help fund the city's project and turn the former Badger Sheet Metal site into a new fire station along with Metro Fire administration offices, over 200 apartments, commercial spaces and green infrastructure. The site is in the 400 block of South Broadway. The money comes from the county's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds, which were two rounds of funds provided during the pandemic to assist residents with rent and housing. The first round of ERA funds was provided through the CARES and Consolidated Appropriations acts and the second round came through the American Rescue Plan Act. Brown County received $14.9 million in 2021. In the second round of funds, the county received an additional $17.3 million, for a total of $32.2 million in ERA funding, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The money needs to be obligated by Sept. 30. Otherwise, the county would lose the money and it would go back to the Treasury. Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said the $3.5 million is the only ERA funds left that are unallocated, besides a remaining $500,000 that will goes toward court evictions. At least 75% of the second round of ERA funds needs to be used to help households cover costs. The ERA funds went toward rent, utilities or other housing bills for 2,286 households in Brown County by the end of September 2024, according to data from the Treasury. The remaining funds can go toward an affordable housing project. The $3.5 million would go toward the project on South Broadway to provide more affordable housing in the county, the resolution states. The Human Services Committee will discuss the resolution in its meeting April 16, before going to the Brown County Board that night for a vote. Streckenbach said the county decided to put the ERA money toward the new fire station and apartment complex because the project fell within the September deadline and qualified under the ERA guidelines. "It's a best of both worlds scenario," Streckenbach said. "We want to support Green Bay." The county's funds would make up for some potential federal funding that failed to come through for the project after $5 million requested by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin for the project was not included in a continuing resolution signed into law March 15. The new fire station would replace the aging stations at 885 Shawano Ave. and 501 S. Washington St. Both are around 90 years old. In 2018, the city bought the Badger Sheet Metal site and secured a $1 million Environmental Protection Agency grant to demolish the buildings and get rid of contaminated soil on the site. The city had previously allocated $1.025 million for the project in ARPA funds. County Board Chair Pat Buckley hopes the site will spur more development in the Shipyard area. "If we can get this thing off the ground, it's a win-win," Buckley said. "Hopefully this makes the project come to fruition." If the city secures all of the money needed for the project, the new fire station complex would break ground this year, Council Member Melinda Eck said. Two-thirds of County Board members would have to vote to approve the resolution April 16 night for it to pass. Buckley said he expects the County Board to approve it. More: $5 million in federal funds for new Green Bay fire station left out of new federal spending bill Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@ This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brown County could help fund new fire station and apartment buildings in Green Bay
