It had also been reported that the boyfriend “might be armed and dangerous” which prompted the assistance of the SPPD Special Response Team.In an attempt to locate the boyfriend for questioning SPPD investigators learned that the boyfriend “had an area that he was renting on the 1400 block of East Harvard Boulevard...”Sgt. Cordero said that when SPPD Officers arrived they found that the property was a “fenced in area” masked from view and inside the fencing was a portable trailer.“Code Enforcement was called and they shut it down,” because of several violations including illegal electrical wiring noted Sgt. Cordero.Allegations of housing fraud are being aggressively investigated by the District Attorney’s Office, which has a hotline - 477-1607 - to report suspected illegal activity.Section 8 is a rent assistance program for low-income households operated by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).The HUD Section 8 program supplements rent payment based on household income and the cost of housing.Guidelines set for receiving Section 8 housing include household income and number of persons living in the dwelling.
SPPD assists with Special Response Team in suspected HUD fraud
March 02, 2007
Santa Paula Police Department
Information that one of the residents of a home targeted by a search warrant for suspected housing fraud might be carrying a gun prompted the assistance of the Santa Paula Police Special Response Team, according to a SPPD spokesman.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesInformation that one of the residents of a home targeted by a search warrant for suspected housing fraud might be carrying a gun prompted the assistance of the Santa Paula Police Special Response Team, according to a SPPD spokesman.Sgt. Troyce Reynolds said that the warrant search occurred on Tuesday, February 27 at about 7 a.m. in the 1000 block of East Ventura Street.The SPPD was called in to assist the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Government Fraud Unit.“The government fraud unit and federal housing authorities are investigating allegations of Section 8 fraud,” and although the search warrant was for grand theft, there was information that “one of the residents in the home may be an armed fugitive,” prompting the use of the Special Response Team for safety.Sgt. Reynolds noted that the entry was made without incident, the search was conducted and evidence seized.No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.SPPD Sgt. Ismael Cordero said that the warrant came about “in this particular instance because it was reported that unauthorized persons were living at that location that were not being reported to HUD. It was reported that the HUD recipient’s boyfriend was living at the residence and was also self-employed,” additional household income that was not reported to HUD.
