UPDATE: An earlier version of a press release stated that Lowe was sentenced to five years in prison. The release was later corrected to say that she is receiving five years of probation. This story has been updated to reflect those changes.
The former Raleigh County housing director has been sentenced for defrauding the federal government.
Laquenta Lowe was sentenced to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $8,954.76 in restitution after stealing $7,978.91 in federal funds from the housing authority.
“Laquenta Lowe abused a position of trust and stole from a program that provides critical services to some of our most vulnerable citizens,” United States Attorney Will Thompson said. “Our office is committed to prosecuting fraud of this nature to the fullest extent possible.
Lowe was convicted of using Raleigh County Housing Authority funds to compensate herself for personal travel. She also used a credit card to purchase a smartwatch for herself.
The FBI, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the West Virginia State Auditor’s office investigated the case.
