NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Two men are facing charges for scamming a New York City social services fund out of $5.4 million by forging fake documents and pretending to be homeless veterans, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Jerome Weah, a 46-year-old from New Jersey, and Rudean Weir, a 37-year-old from Georgia, allegedly made over 340 phony applications for cash assistance from the Enhanced One Shot Deal Program — a New York City Human Resources Administration housing assistance program.
The EOSD provides one-time cash assistance for homeless people to move into permanent housing.
It’s designed to cover rent, moving expenses, security deposits, broker’s fees and the cost of household basics.
The HRA gives special consideration for veterans applying for these funds.
Between October 2020 and at least May 2022, the alleged fraudsters repeatedly claimed to be homeless veterans who had entered into various lease agreements by submitting forged paperwork to the HRA.
“The defendants abused a New York City program intended to benefit veterans of the United States armed services seeking permanent housing by submitting hundreds of false applications for benefits and causing more than $5 million in fraudulent payments,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “Thanks to the efforts of the New York City Department of Investigation, the fraud has been exposed and the defendants will have to answer for their conduct.”
Prosecutors charged Weir and Weah with wire fraud, conspiracy and identity theft charges.
If found guilty, they could each face up to 42 years in prison.
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