A DeKalb County woman was sentenced Tuesday to four months in prison for stealing tens of thousands of federal dollars meant to help disabled women and their children.
Janice Cooks, 53, of Lithonia got nearly a million dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over several years to provide housing for disabled women, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak’s office said in a statement.
However, she mismanaged the grant money, transferring over $59,000 into her personal account.
“She also used HUD funds ... on personal expenses like travel, dining out, and shopping,” the statement said.
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Cooks only received funding to rent out 14 apartments at the Ashley Cascade apartments, Pak’s office said. But instead, she rented out between 22 and 24 apartments.
Pak said she “ultimately caused the intended recipients to lose their homes.”
She was convicted last year. In addition to her four months in prison, she was sentenced to eight months of house arrest followed by three years of probation.
She also must pay nearly $199,000 in restitution to HUD, and more than $35,800 in restitution to the Ashley Cascade apartments.
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