Maryland Woman Sentenced for Theft of Federal Housing and Food Assistance Payments

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Laurel, Maryland, has been sentenced in federal court to three years of probation and restitution of more than $50,000 following her conviction for theft of government funds from two federal agencies, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Briayell Moore, 43.

In connection with Moore's guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from approximately June 2010 until approximately May 2017, Moore misrepresented her household circumstances and eligibility for two different federally funded programs designed to assist lower income citizens. This involved Moore providing false information about her household composition, income, and marital status to receive Housing Assistance Payments from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as to qualify for and receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Moore would neither have been eligible for nor received these benefits based on her actual household composition, income, marital status, and other factors.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Conti noted that Moore's conduct deprived other deserving community members of the benefits to which they were entitled. As part of her sentence, Moore was ordered to pay restitution to both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, and Allegheny Housing Authority's Investigations Unit for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moore.