Former Head of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government Funds; Son and Daughter-In-Law also Convicted

Buffalo, N.Y. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Stephanie W. Cowart, 58, of Grand Island, NY, pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Cowart’s son and daughter in-law, Allen, 31, and Fredia, 28, both of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft of government funds which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who is handling the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. Between October 2013 and January 2015, Stephanie Cowart, being an agent of a state authority, and being aided by Allen…

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