South Delta Regional Housing Authority Executive Arrested on Embezzlement, Obstruction Charges

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 FBI agents have arrested Ann Jefferson, executive director of the South Delta Regional Housing Authority (SDRHA), today in Leland, Mississippi, pursuant to an indictment returned last week by a federal grand jury.

Jefferson, 57, of Leland, is accused of knowingly and willfully embezzling federal funds, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, making false statements to federal authorities in the course of an investigation, and witness intimidation. She appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Jane Virden in Greenville, Mississippi, today and was released on a bond posted in February on a previous arrest.

“This joint HUD-OIG/FBI investigation into the alleged misuse of government funds by these subjects is an excellent example of the effectiveness of collaboration between federal agencies,” stated FBI SAC Daniel McMullen. “I commend the hard work and dedication of all the HUD-OIG and FBI investigators during the course of this investigation.”

If convicted on all counts, Jefferson faces up to 95 years in prison and up to $2 million in fines. She could also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her crimes.

Also arrested today and charged in the indictment is Jimmy Johnson, a contractor doing business with SDRHA. Johnson was charged with embezzlement of federal funds, witness tampering and making a false statement to federal authorities in the course of an investigation. He faces up to 35 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines, if convicted.

The charges against Jefferson and Johnson are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert H. Norman and Susan S. Bradley.