Former Caseworker Sentenced to Probation for Embezzling Money from New Mexico Aids Services

ALBUQUERQUE—Earlier today, a federal judge in Albuquerque sentenced Evelyn Facio, of Albuquerque, to five years of probation, including six-months of electronic monitoring, for her conviction for embezzling money from a program receiving federal funds. Facio also was ordered to pay $27,772.32 in restitution to New Mexico Aids Services (NMAS), the victim of her criminal conduct.

Facio entered a guilty plea to an information charging her with theft from a program receiving federal funds on July 23, 2012. According to court filings, from November 2010 through October 2011, Facio was a caseworker for NMAS, an agency receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a case worker, she was authorized to apply for housing assistance from NMAS for clients in the form of rent payments. During her period of employment, Facio knowingly embezzled $35,377.32 in federal and state funds through NMAS, converting the funds to her personal use and the use of others.

Facio perpetuated her criminal conduct by authorizing fraudulent payments for housing assistance to persons not entitled to receive the payments. After authorizing these fraudulent payments, Facio arranged with the persons who received the funds to return part of the funds to her.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for HUD and the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary L. Higgins.