Raleigh County Housing Authority
Outcome
Laquenta Lowe, former executive director of the Raleigh County Housing Authority, was sentenced to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $8,954.76 in restitution after pleading guilty to conversion of public money exceeding $1,000.
Details
Raleigh County Housing Authority — Conversion of Public Money (2018–2021)
Outcome: Laquenta Lowe, former executive director of the Raleigh County Housing Authority, was sentenced to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $8,954.76 in restitution after pleading guilty to conversion of public money exceeding $1,000.
Laquenta Lowe, 46, of Beckley, West Virginia, served as chief financial officer and accountant for the Raleigh County Housing Authority from July 2018 through May 2019, and as executive director from June 2019 through April 2021. During this period, the RCHA administered programs using federal HUD funds including the Section 8 income-based rent subsidy program.
Lowe admitted to stealing at least $7,978.91 in federal funds by claiming $6,728.82 in unauthorized overtime pay, taking $660.68 in travel expenses unrelated to housing authority business, and purchasing a personal smart watch with the RCHA credit card. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk sentenced Lowe to five years of federal probation and ordered $8,954.76 in restitution.
Primary Source: DOJ: Former Raleigh County Housing Director Sentenced for Federal Fraud Crime
How Crucible Prevents This
Lowe exploited her dual roles as CFO and later executive director to claim unauthorized overtime pay and charge personal expenses to the housing authority credit card. Crucible's separation-of-duties controls would prevent an individual who approves expenditures from also being a payee, and credit card transaction auditing would flag non-housing-related purchases.
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