David Royce Ford, 35, former Executive Director of the Ripley Housing Authority, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for embezzling, laundering, and evading taxes on unauthorized cash withdrawals and purchases he made from the housing authority's account for personal use beginning from his first days in the role.

Ripley Housing Authority — Executive Director Embezzlement (2009–2011)

Outcome: David Royce Ford, 35, of Ripley, Tennessee, former Executive Director of the Ripley Housing Authority, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for embezzling from the federally funded housing authority beginning from his first days in the role, and for laundering the proceeds and evading taxes on the stolen funds.

Ford began working for the Ripley Housing Authority as Executive Director on January 4, 2009. Beginning almost immediately after his hire, he made unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals from the housing authority's checking account for his personal use. He then laundered those funds and failed to report the stolen income on his tax returns.

Ford pleaded guilty in January 2012 to federal charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion. He was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by HUD's Office of Inspector General.

Primary Source: Former Ripley Housing Authority Director Sentenced for Embezzlement