Niagara Falls Housing Authority votes to give 18 months of dental insurance coverage to former executive director Stephanie Cowart. CONTACT: Barbara Burns The Bulls' record during Scott's career was 11-31. BUFFALO The longtime executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority has pleaded guilty to stealing federal funds in a scheme invo. He called the sentence, which he admitted was less then the minimum under federal sentencing guidelines, "fair, just and reasonable." 479 16th Street, Niagara Falls NY, 14303 Phone: 716-285-7778 E-mail: Center City Neighborhood Development Corporation John Drake, Executive Director Business Address: 1824 Main Street, Niagara Falls NY, 14305 Phone: 716-282-3738 E-mail: centercity@pce.net . The NFHA then paid Allen and Fredia Cowart for work purportedly done on the project. He moved to Atlantic City, N.J., to become executive director of its housing authority in 2016. 455 followers 456 connections. An official website of the United States government. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. mills. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Real Estate Guide. To mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the sexual abuse scandal in the Buffalo Diocese, The Buffalo News spoke with the two whistleblow. A locked padlock Soda, the chairman of the Housing Authority board, recounting Scott's job interview. 1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072 The . In the post-colonial era the establishment of so-called 'peaceparks' that straddle the borders of states has come to be seen as a key not only to increasing tourism in the Southern African region, but also to the modernizing of conservation policies and the development of rural economies. "My investigators brought this case to our partners in law enforcement, and I thank U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Inspector General, and the FBI for their diligent work in the fight against public corruption.". Earlier this month, Jeff Paterson, NFHA board chairman, issued a statement on the situation. Description. In 2011, he was placed on administrative leave in Youngstown for allegedly granting pay raises to employees without board approval, although The Vindicator in Youngstown reported Scott had informed the board of his intention to do so. Have a question about Government Services? Downtown Niagara Falls near the Seneca Niagara Casino. In stealing public funds, the defendant put her own interests ahead not only of taxpayers but of the very people she was supposed to be helping, said U.S. Attorney Kennedy. To mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the sexual abuse scandal in the Buffalo Diocese, The Buffalo News spoke with the two whistleblow. When Stephanie Cowart used her power as the Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to steal money entrusted to her, she failed the people she was hired to serve.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who is handling the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. "What students brought to school in one area of the city versus another area of the city." 716-285-6961 x302. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Compensation-Related Payments to the Executive Director Thomas P. DiNapoli. Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Executive Director Gillian Brown said, "As Executive Director of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority - NYS's second largest housing authority - I know all too well what damage results from our state's shortage of housing. The engagement started with a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of the Attorney General NYS Preservation Opportunity Program and Executive Director Clifford Scott. Cafarella said the board is now looking for a replacement as executive director. He held a similar post in Kansas City, Mo., before going to Youngstown, Ohio, as housing authority executive director in 2008. When Stephanie Cowart used her power as the executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to steal money entrusted to her, she failed the people she was hired to serve," saidActing Special Agent-in-ChargeKevin P. Lyons. And he threw 58 interceptions, also the most ever at UB. Connect to CRM . The Advantage After School Program is funded, in part, through a contribution of federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds to New York State. Cowart relatives return checks amid FBI probe. Niagara Falls Housing Authority employs 116 employees. Minister's Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management. Cowart said nothing and walked away. The money was to be used for A Better Me, a project that was to teach children and youth the importance of proper etiquette, what bullying is and what they can do about it and to teach educational empowerment tools. The NAF grant proceeds for the A Better Me project were deposited directly into the NFHAs operating account. He went on to become New York State's director of the Housing Choice program and executive director of housing authorities in Youngstown, Ohio, Omaha and Atlantic City. Supervision is exercised over technical, clerical and maintenance staff as . Executive Offices 744 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 285-6961 Anthony Spallino Towers 720 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 285-5505 Manager: Margaret Anne Smith Henry E . Across New York state, the Department of Environmental Conservation says Black . Alma mater. Read More. ", Cowart told Arcara she had always tried to be "an advocate for the needy and disadvantaged.". The nature of that investigation was not stated with clarity on the stub or in a letter that accompanied the check. Cowart has worked for the Niagara Falls Housing Authority since 1983 and has been executive director since 1997. Clifford Scott (Contributed photo) Support this work for $1 a month. Tourism in Southern Africa is synonymous with the wildlife safari. Cafarella said the authority offered to sell the house to Williams, but it hasn't been able to reach an agreement with her on the price. Battle was not a significant part of the Department of Justice's subsequent investigation, which concluded without filing charges, according to national media reports from the time. The Executive Director . They are difficult to manage," said Dobbs. 1. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority oversees both public housing and voucher programs, if available. However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. In addition, between October 2013 and June 2014, aided by his mother, Allen Cowart defrauded the NFHA and the New York Office of Children and Family Services (NYOCFS). That prompted the board to authorize the sale of the property. and direct supervision is received from the Executive Director and/or Deputy Executive Director with scheduling of work assignments periodically reviewed. Harvey Kelly and the Rev. Stephanie and Fredia Cowart have also paid full restitution totaling approximately $17,000. Executive Director. Battle was appointed to the U.S. Attorney's Office by former U.S. President George W. Bush. Since July, he spoke to the Gazette on one occasion. Clifford Scott, NFHA's executive director, said, "The Niagara Falls Housing Authority chose to partner with the New York Power Authority on this project because it aligns with our goals in . "That's my background. Address: 744 10Th St. Niagara Falls, NY 14301-1804. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority board of commissioners has selected Beacon Communities LLC as the co-developer on the Harry S. Jordan Gardens Housing Redevelopment in the Highland/Beech area of the City of Niagara Falls. As recently as this summer, Cowart wrote in the authoritys quarterly publication, the Niagara Carrier, about the local need for constructive programming that reaches young people. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. In addition, between October 2013 and June 2014, aided by his mother, Allen Cowart defrauded the NFHA and the New York Office of Children and Family Services (NYOCFS). Save . Said check has since become a topic of controversy, Elmore explained in the letter, before adding the returned funds are neither an admission of criminal or civil guilt nor criminal or civil wrongdoing.. Hochul announces resources to help save on home energy bills, Niagara Falls: 17-year-old taken into custody for gun charges. Whether Cowart will face criminal charges related to the federal investigation is out of the authority's hands, according to Cafarella. As a result, NFHA has embarked on an aggressive, community-led initiative to improve this long-time neglected area., "We believe a New York state investment in this community has the potential to kickstart economic development in one of the most underserved areas in the City of Niagara Falls,'' said Clifford Scott, executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority. Barone will retire at the end of July after 32 years with the authority, including 18 years as deputy executive director before taking over for Cowart. However, Allen and Fredia Cowart never actually conducted any presentations related to the A Better Me project. 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Allen Cowart's attorney, Barry Covert, labeled one check dated Sept. 9 "Federal Investigation re: Niagara Falls.". According a synopsis of the grant, filed in the authoritys records, Allen and Fredia were designated to serve as instructors for the program and would use role-playing exercises, conflict resolution techniques and situational exercises to teach young people how to make productive decisions in challenging environments. Instead, the defendant misused her position to ensure that the only improvements realized through her administration of these funds were to the bank balances of her family members., Stephanie Cowart used her power as the Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to enrich herself and members of her family, said Adam S. Cohen, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBIs Buffalo Division. Arcara told Cowart that when he first reviewed her case, he concluded she should spend time behind bars. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) 744 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 www.nfha.org. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who handled the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. "(That means) you're entitled to work hard and get a paycheck. They didn't publicly discuss during their meeting any link between the $6,000 and the federal investigation of Stephanie Cowart. View All Employees . Niagara Falls Housing Authority. Phone: 716-773-7676 Niagara Falls Housing Authority ends its investigation of director. 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive
So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Get Directions . Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who is handling the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He said the decision to sell the house had nothing to do with the investigation of Stephanie Cowart. Ministry of Forests Wildlife and Parks. Edit Details Section. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Winds light and variable. A press release stated, NFHA is the largest landlord in the City of Niagara Falls and predominantly serves low- to moderate-income individuals and families. It started last summer with 87, grew to 300, and most recently shot up to around 2,000 hotel rooms that were being utilized in Niagara Falls, Ont., to accommodate asylum seekers sent there from Quebec. Low around 30F. And now, more than three years later, all of the money has been returned to the authority by the son of Stephanie Cowart and his wife. Yvonne is the Founder & CEO of Victory & Co., a HR and Coaching company where she challenges people to think differently about their business and human resources practices. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Official websites use .gov You have permission to edit this article. Last name. cmscott@nfha.org. "My life's mission, my life's passion has been to build strong communities. Join to connect Niagara Falls Housing Authority. Allen Cowart falsely claimed that he was performing the work of two teachers under the Advantage After School Program and was paid more than two times the normal hourly pay rate for one teacher position. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Niagara Frontier Publications. Scott was "almost universally the top choice," Soda said. Executive Director: Stephanie W. Cowart. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart is probably one of the most cultured and sophisticated women of Niagara Falls. Todays sentencings are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin P. Lyons; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brad Geary; and the Office of New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Division of Investigations. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. HUD awards Batavia Housing Authority $465,324; In the meantime, we thank you for understanding and respecting the constraints within which were operating, he said. Eighteen people applied for the executive director job last November, Soda said. William Simmons Executive Director Syracuse Housing Authority. Iesha Sekou CEO & Founder Street Corner Resources. Gov. Battle was one the first federal defenders in the state's Western District office from 2002 to 2005, a seat now occupied by U.S. Attorney William Hochul. 'S hands, according to cafarella $ 6,000 and the federal investigation is of. Stephanie and Fredia Cowart have also paid full restitution totaling approximately $ 17,000 stealing funds! 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