South Delta Regional Housing Authority Executive Convicted

OXFORD, MS—Felicia C. Adams, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, together with Daniel McMullen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi; and Bobby Anderson, special agent in charge of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General in New Orleans, announces that a federal jury convicted Ann Jefferson, executive director of the South Delta Regional Housing Authority (SDRHA), yesterday in Aberdeen, Mississippi of two counts of embezzlement, two counts of obstruction of justice, and three counts of witness intimidation.

Jefferson, 57, of Leland, was found to have embezzled federal funds from several housing authority accounts for her own use and to have retaliated against several employees when she found out those employees were cooperating with federal investigators. Following five days of testimony, the jury returned the verdict after deliberating for less than two hours.

United States Attorney Felicia C. Adams stated: “Justice has been served. These guilty verdicts help reinforce the need for integrity in organizations which receive funding from taxpayers’ money. Fraud and corruption will not be tolerated in federal housing programs. Many thanks to the FBI, the HUD Inspector General, and the courageous witnesses who came forward to bring justice to South Delta Regional Housing Authority.”

Daniel McMullen, special agent in charge of the FBI in Mississippi, stated, “The FBI is committed to identifying and bringing to justice those who, like Ann Jefferson, break the law in order to enrich themselves at taxpayers’ expense. Jefferson’s self-serving actions were matched only by the selfless acts of the witnesses who stepped forward and cooperated in this investigation, at great personal and financial risk.”

At sentencing, Jefferson faces up to 90 years in prison and up to $1.75 million in fines. She could also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her crimes.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of the Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert H. Norman and Susan S. Bradley.