JACKSON, MS—Kayla Paul Lindsey, 46, of Brandon, and Marlene Solomon Williams, 61, of Brandon, were indicted on April 7, 2015 by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to make false statements and for making false statements to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway.

The 17- count indictment alleges that Lindsey and Williams administrated a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas that was intended to provide home repairs for low- to moderate-income households. According to the indictment, Lindsey and Williams required the contractors they hired to perform the repairs to inflate their invoices and to kick the extra money back to Lindsey and Williams. The fraudulently inflated invoices were submitted to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas through its local member institution, Trustmark Bank. It is alleged that, during the course of the conspiracy, the defendants were paid $187,261.23 in kickbacks generated by the fraudulent invoices.

Timothy Mowery, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, stated: “The act of committing fraud upon programs that are intended to assist the elderly, low income, or others who have fallen on hard times is detestable. Kayla Lindsey and Marlene Williams allegedly engaged in such a fraud against a Federal Home Loan Bank. FHFA-OIG is committed to identifying fraudsters and seeking prosecution to the fullest extent the law allows.”

“This case is an example of the results we can achieve by working with our law enforcement partners,” stated FBI SAC Donald Alway. “I commend the work of the individuals involved in this collaborative, investigative effort.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDA Office of Inspector General, and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

If convicted each defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy, and up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for each of the 16 remaining counts of making false statements to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

The public is reminded that an indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.