Former City Housing Worker Sentenced for Theft and Attempted Witness Tampering

PHILADELPHIA—Brenda Wilkins, 63, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to five months in prison and five months of house arrest for a real estate scheme involving public housing, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Wilkins, who is a retired real estate specialist for the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (“PHDC”), pleaded guilty September 23, 2009, to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and attempted witness tampering.

According to the indictment, Wilkins arranged for the sale of a PHDC-property, located at 5437 Marsden Street, to “TB” for $1. The fair market value of the property at the time was approximately $65,000. “TB” later sold the property to Wilkins’ daughter, “RW”, for $1. The indictment further alleges that Brenda Wilkins advised “TB” to make false statements to a federal grand jury investigating the transaction.

In addition to the prison and house arrest terms, U.S. District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner ordered Wilkins to pay restitution in the amount of $52,700. Also, as a result of her conviction, Wilkins is ineligible to collect her city pension.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Inspector General’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Kyriakakis.

This investigation is the result of the city’s initiative to crack down on corruption through a working partnership between the city and federal governments. The partnership involves the city’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s office.