Bradenton Housing Authority

Bradenton, FL 2010--2013 Public Housing

DOJ HUD_OIG Theft_of_government_funds Federal_program_fraud

Penalty

$276,300

Outcome

Wenston DeSue, former Executive Director of the Bradenton Housing Authority, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and ordered to pay $276,300 in restitution for stealing $276,300 in salary, bonuses, and leave cash-outs while routinely absent from his duties without taking approved leave — including a personal trip to Jamaica while on the job.

Details

Bradenton Housing Authority — Executive Director Time Fraud (2010–2013)

Outcome: Wenston DeSue, former Executive Director of the Bradenton Housing Authority (BHA), was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison in September 2015 and ordered to pay $276,300 in restitution (and face a $276,300 forfeiture judgment) for stealing $276,300 by collecting salary, bonuses, and leave cash-outs while routinely absent from his duties without taking authorized leave.

Between September 2010 and September 2013, DeSue was significantly and routinely absent from the BHA, engaging in non-BHA activities during what were supposed to be work hours, without taking annual leave, sick leave, or any other authorized absence for those periods. Despite his regular absences, he continued to accept his full salary. In one instance, DeSue took a trip to Jamaica with Stephany West, a former BHA Project Director who engaged in similar conduct — collecting pay while absent.

In total, DeSue stole $276,300 in salary payments for time he was not working, bonuses, and cash-outs of unused leave that he was not actually entitled to. The investigation was conducted by HUD's Office of Inspector General. U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew entered both a forfeiture judgment and restitution order for the full $276,300.

Primary Source: Former Bradenton Housing Authority Executive Director Sentenced for Theft of Federal Funds

How Crucible Prevents This

DeSue's scheme was essentially time fraud at the executive level — collecting salary while routinely absent and engaged in non-organizational activities. Crucible's attendance and work-location accountability hook for executive directors requires documentation of organizational duties performed and flags extended absences not covered by approved leave. A payroll-leave reconciliation control automatically flags any pay period where an executive director's salary is disbursed without corresponding approved leave records or documented work activity.

Source: Former Bradenton Housing Authority Executive Director Sentenced for Theft of Federal Funds

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