Housing Authority Employee Charged With Embezzlement
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA former employee of the Hammond Housing Authority is facing charges of theft of federal funds and tax evasion. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report Michelle Seljan has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $633,000 from the agency.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch’s office says Seljan embezzled the money between 2013 and 2016. According to court documents, Seljan sent the funds from the Hammond Housing Authority to bank personal bank accounts, making the transactions appear to be legitimate housing assistance recipient payments.
Additionally, Seljan misreported her income, evading more than $200,000 in federal taxes in the process.
The publication reports Seljan has agreed to reimburse the federal government for the entire loss in exchange for a reduced sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 23.
"Ms. Seljan betrayed the public trust by using her position with the Hammond Housing Authority for her own private gain," Kirsch said. "Citizens deserve honest public servants who will efficiently carry out the mission of their agencies. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute public corruption across the Northern District of Indiana."