New York Assemblywoman Indicted on 11 Counts of Fraud, Witness Tampering.https://t.co/MVBgCyGTfU— GlobalAwareness101 (@Mononoke__Hime) January 10, 2018
The Washington Free Beacon
written by Conor Beck
Wednesday January 10, 2018
New York State Assemblywoman Pamela Harris has been indicted on 11 counts of fraud and tampering, accused of defrauding numerous federal and local government entities.
The indictments include two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of making false statements, two counts of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of witness tampering and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, CBS New York reported.
Harris is accused of defrauding the New York City Council, the city’s Department of Youth and Community Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city’s Build it Back Program and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. The alleged behavior took place between 2012 and 2016.
The assemblywoman spent $10,000 of stolen funds on vacation getaways–covering airline and cruise tickets for the politician and her husband–according to the 21-page federal indictment. She further used other funds to pay her lingerie tab at Victoria’s Secret, New York Daily News reported.
"As alleged in the indictment, the defendant defrauded government agencies out of tens of thousands of dollars in public funds and tried to fraudulently obtain even more," stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue.
"She conducted her schemes victimizing the federal and New York City governments, and then obstructed a federal investigation into her crimes while a sitting New York State Assemblywoman. When she learned that law enforcement was investigating her various fraud schemes, she pressured witnesses to lie to the FBI and cover them up. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring that those who serve the public are held accountable under the law to the same extent as the people they are privileged to serve," he added.
New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Mark G. Peters described to the charges as being a result of "brazen corruption."
"The brazen corruption charged as a result of this investigation tramples on the very definition of a public servant," stated Peters. "This elected official exploited the public she was elected to serve by stealing from City and federal programs and then concealing the fraud with false statements and asking witnesses to obstruct the investigation, according to the indictment."
As NBC New York points out, despite the fact Harris's biography calls her a "vocal advocate" for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, part of the money she allegedly stole was money designated for FEMA relief efforts.
UPDATE 1:08 PM: This piece was updated to include additional details of how Harris allegedly used the stolen funds.
Not surprised. 😒 New York Democrat Charged With Stealing Hurricane Relief Funds.https://t.co/6vfKG9ucFp— GlobalAwareness101 (@Mononoke__Hime) January 12, 2018
The Daily Caller
written by Henry Rodgers
Tuesday January 9, 2018
A New York Democratic Assemblywoman was indicted for stealing over twenty five-thousand dollars of government money, including Hurricane relief funds.
Pamela Harris, 57, from Brooklyn, was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making false statements, bankruptcy fraud, witness tampering and conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to the New York Daily News. Harris allegedly used the money for vacations, cruise tickets and even her lingerie bill at Victoria’s Secret.
Authorities arrested Harris Tuesday morning and charged her before a federal judge later in the day.
Not only was Harris accused of stealing from the government, she reportedly stole nearly $25,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), that was responsible for helping New York and New Jersey rebuild after Hurricane Sandy hit the states hard in 2012.
“In fact, at a time when many residents in her district were dealing with the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Harris was busy brewing a storm of her own, one that resulted in her receiving significant payouts by the very federal agency charged with helping those truly in need,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said in a statement to Fox News.
Harris also allegedly lied and said her house had been so badly damaged that she had to move and even presented the government with fraudulent lease agreements and rent payments for another house in Staten Island.
“These types of crimes threaten the financial stability of our local and federal governments, but when a public official is involved, even more is at risk,” Sweeney said. “Today we are proud to put an end to this inexcusable scheme.”
Harris faces more than 50 years in prison if she is found guilty of the charges.
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