Update: The Plain Dealer reports that Sheriff’s deputies, not the FBI, are the ones raiding CMHA.
In addition, the PD cites sources who say the investigation “involves the county’s mortgage fraud task force.”
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19 Action News was the first to report that Federal and local authorities are raiding the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority headquarter on W. 25th this morning, as well as the CMHA Voucher Program offices on Hamilton Avenue.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigations arrived on scene at CMHA Headquarters at 8 a.m.
19 Action News has also learned that Sheriff’s Deputies have blocked off the entrance at the CMHA Choice Voucher Program building located on Hamilton Avenue. Employees are only allowed to enter the lunchroom area at this time.
Sources tell 19 Action News investigator Scott Taylor that authorities could be looking into inspections of homes or the CMHA’s Voucher Program.
The Voucher Program provides rental assistance to help low income persons afford decent and safe rental housing. HCVP Programs are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
An agent confirmed to the PD that they are serving search warrants.
This article appears in Jan 5-11, 2011.
Used to work for CMHA and I am retired now, always wondered when CMHA would be investigated again. The agency is always led by a bunch of people, who are only big talkers and nice dressers, but have no idea how to run a public housing agency. This has been like this for 20 years and the government or FBI did nothing. They kept George Phillips, even though he was a leftover from the Freeman/Davis days and his thing is talking, but he has no substance.