MAN SENTENCED IN SECTION 8 HOUSING BENEFITS FRAUD CASE

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Larry J. Pradia, age 59, of Rochester, NY, convicted of conspiracy to commit the theft of public money on December 14, 2006, was sentenced to 5 years probation and restitution in the amount of $55,933 to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced today.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, stated that the defendant had been convicted of conspiracy to commit the theft of public money when he received Section 8 housing rent for the home he owned. The defendant was the sole owner of the property known as 361 Sunset Street, Rochester, New York. He falsely claimed to HUD that he was not related to any of the individuals living in the residence when he knew that he was the father of two of the children who were living at 361 Sunset. The defendant also concealed the fact that he too was living at 361 Sunset Street.

The conviction was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the direction of Rene Febles and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Laurie Bennett.