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Ex-Housing Authority Official Sentenced

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

Updated: 08/30/2008 12:14 am

TAMPA - A former Tampa Housing Authority official was sentenced Friday morning to four years and two months in federal prison and three years' probation for his role in a scheme to steal more than $486,000 in federal rent subsidies.

Calvin Coleman, 44, is the third former housing official sentenced in the scheme, which involved recruiting bogus landlords to collect federal housing money. He pleaded guilty April 22 to charges of conspiracy, public corruption and theft.

Carlton Miles pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June to two years in federal prison for his role in the scam. Mario Lovett also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months.

The men and more than a dozen phony landlords are said to be responsible for more than $500,000 in losses.

At least 16 people have entered guilty pleas.

Phony landlords who have been sentenced have received penalties ranging from probation to six months in federal prison.
Prosecutors said Miles, Lovett and Coleman recruited people to act as landlords, although the three never owned the rental properties or had leases with tenants approved by the housing authority.

Miles, Lovett and Coleman then allowed fraudulent subsidy checks to be issued to the fake landlords, and paid a kickback to the counselors, prosecutors said.

Reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this report. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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