Former Killeen Housing Authority director charged with embezzlement
Published: Sat, 01/20/24
Former Killeen Housing Authority director charged with embezzlement
A former Killeen Housing Authority executive director was charged with alleged embezzlement of federal funds.
Herald | File
Killeen Daily Herald
By Kevin Limiti | Herald
January 19, 2024
A former executive director of the Killeen Housing Authority was arrested this week on charges of alleged embezzlement of federal funds, according to a news release Friday from the U.S. Department of Justice.
DeAdra Johnson, 52, allegedly stole thousands of dollars intended to be used for programs associated with KHA, which provides low-rent housing in Killeen.
She used these funds, court documents say, to pay for vehicle down payments, personal travel, furniture, utility bills and other personal expenses.
Johnson is charged with nine counts of theft of government property and one count of making a false statement. She faces up to 15 years in prison, 10 for theft of government property and five for making a false statement.
A spokesperson for the DOJ said the amount stolen was approximately $69,323.
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Investigative wing, the Office of the Attorney General, and the FBI are investigating this case.
KHA’s government-assisted rental vouchers — including for properties KHA owns or maintains — began being transferred to the Central Texas Council of Governments in late October.
The Killeen Housing Authority lost virtually its entire staff in late September and was having trouble making payments to landlords, with some tenants being threatened with eviction.
The Herald reported that Johnson was under investigation by federal officials in an article on Oct. 22.
Her home was raided by federal investigators in 2022. In addition, computers were confiscated from KHA offices.