Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against a suburban Cook County woman for allegedly stealing more than $18,000 in rent payments while employed by a property management company contracted by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans by falsely claiming that she owned a business.
Attorney General Raoul charged Delvya Harris, 32, of South Holland, Illinois with two counts of theft of government property over $10,000, each Class 1 felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of theft of governmental property under $10,000, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; one count of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and two counts of forgery, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
The Attorney General’s office also charged Harris with two counts of loan fraud, each Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison; seven counts of forgery, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison; and four counts of income tax fraud, each Class 4 felonies punishable by up to three years in prison for her role in allegedly applying for and receiving two PPP loans that she was not entitled to.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Harris pleaded not guilty, and her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 24.
“It is unconscionable an individual entrusted to work on behalf of taxpayers would steal for their own financial gain,” Raoul said. “I am committed to ensuring that individuals are held accountable for exploiting government programs and assistance programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Raoul’s office alleges Harris was employed as an assistant community manager by management firm Habitat Company at the CHA’s Trumbull Park Homes in Chicago’s South Deering neighborhood. While employed, Harris allegedly failed to deposit money orders for rent paid by CHA tenants, instead depositing the funds into her personal bank account. In some instances, Harris is alleged to have given the money orders to her significant others to cash.
Attorney General Raoul’s office also alleges Harris fraudulently applied for two PPP loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration by falsely claiming that she owned a retail business that did not exist. According to Raoul’s office, Harris received a total of $41,007 in February and May 2021 from two fraudulent applications. Harris also allegedly applied for and received an advance on a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for a business that did not exist.
The case was investigated by the CHA Inspector General’s office.
“The CHA Office of the Inspector General takes theft at CHA properties very seriously,” said CHA Inspector General Kathryn Richards. “We are grateful for the support of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in prosecuting these crimes and also for the assistance of CHA’s private property management firm, the Habitat Company, in working to ensure no CHA tenants were negatively affected.”
The public is reminded the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.
