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). Then, with a long audible sigh, Arcara sentenced Cowart, 59, to two years of probation and a $2,000 fine. Vice President, International at S'well . A former official in theU.S. Department of Justices Executive Office for U.S. 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, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York J.P. Kennedy said. You have permission to edit this article. Business Address: Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services. PHONE: (716) 843-5817 Regarding Fredia Cowart, Elmore said she was not a part of the program because she suffers from significant health problems and fell ill during the time the program was to be administered. The smart way to start your day. Through the provision of public housing apartments and the management of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority serves low-income families and . Soda, the chairman of the Housing Authority board, recounting Scott's job interview. people & possibilities inc. people and possibilities inc. 1. Cowart, the executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for nearly two decades, was put on paid leave on July 21 by the board. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Clifford Scott, shown here in this file photo taken during a meeting on July 10, 2019 at city hall, will provide administrative oversight to the . Intake Process. 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. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Allen Cowart was appointed to the temporary position of Teacher, under the Advantage After School Program, October 1, 2013 for the duration of the school year. We do not know when we will reopen our waiting list. View contacts for Niagara Falls Housing Authority to access new leads and connect with decision-makers. The sentence was exactly what Cowart and her lawyer requested. I enthusiastically support Governor Hochul's proposed Housing Compact, and I look . (Niagara Falls, NY) - The Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) Board of Commissioners has selected Beacon Communities LLC as the Co-Developer on the Harry S. Jordan Gardens Housing Complex Redevelopment in Highland/Beech, City of Niagara Falls, New York. 716-285-6961 x302. "It has some crime problems (among tenants) we're going to have to address," Scott said. Since July, he spoke to the Gazette on one occasion. The agency has received multiple grants from the foundation in its history. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority office at 744 10th St. Google. He said the decision to sell the house had nothing to do with the investigation of Stephanie Cowart. Official websites use .gov Last name. The decision to remove Cowart came amid an FBI investigation at the authority. A Freedom of Information Act request sent by the Gazette revealed the documents that showed Allen Cowart, a teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District, and his wife, Fredia Cowart, also a district teacher, each returned $3,000 to the authority about a month after the FBIs interest was made public. "What students brought to school in one area of the city versus another area of the city." Clifford Scott, a starting quarterback for the University at . However, Allen and Fredia Cowart never actually conducted any presentations related to the A Better Me project. SEE ALL NEWS. Stenographer. 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. April Simpson Former Tenant Association President Queensbridge Houses. 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. "I know nothing in regards to the criminal investigation," said Cafarella. Once the application has been completed, it can be mailed or hand delivered to: 744 Tenth St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301. I dont expect any announcements about the executive director to be made today. 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. Associate Professor of Business Administration, SUNY Erie Community College, Executive Director, Niagara Falls Housing Authority. William Simmons Executive Director Syracuse Housing Authority. Niagara Falls Housing Authority . Dave DiCenzo2023-01-12T16:21:35+00:00November 14th, 2022|Categories: Public News|Tags: bank on buffalo, buffalo, Doris Jones Community Resource Center, New York, NFHA, Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, NY|. The scores in this Report are the official PHAS scores of record for your PHA. Our own internal review is ongoing. Stephanie Cowartannounced last month that she will retire from her position in March in a letter she delivered to the agencys board of commissioners. Buffalo, N.Y. U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Stephanie W. Cowart, 59, of Grand Island, NY, who was convicted of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, was sentenced to a two year term of probation and a $2,000 fine by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. "Niagara Falls Housing Authority residents embody the elderly, low income and communities of color that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. The special agent-in-charge of the Buffalo Division of the FBI said she failed in her efforts. None available. Nonprofit; Niagara Falls, NY; Employees. Her attorney, Michael Battle, did not respond to a request for comment. Niagara Falls Housing Authority votes to give 18 months of dental insurance coverage to former executive director Stephanie Cowart. New Falls Housing Authority director, a former UB QB, is used to tough assignments. Four months later, he left to become executive director in Omaha. . Yvonne is a Partner with DistruptHR which hosts annual event here in Niagara bringing together speakers and leaders for an . The board had some concerns and questions over that check.. Read More. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) 1956-current, August 26, 1972, Page 2, Image 2, brought to you by Chappaqua Library, and the National Digital Newspaper Program. 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. Scott was "almost universally the top choice," Soda said. Niagara Falls Housing Authority: $226,000; Project Stork: $100,000; The housing structure was built in the 1960s and has been in need of rehabilitation for decades. The commissioners also agreed to sell a single-family home owned by the authority that is occupied by Cowart's sister, Patricia Williams. Soda, authority board chairman, said Scott "gravitates to troubled housing authorities.". Attorneys, Battle supervised the office's 93 lawyers until his resignation. mini excavator. Federal prosecutors claimed in a criminal complaint that Allen and Fredia Cowart pocketed the cash and never conducted the program, which was called A Better Me. more people more possibilities. "Please accept my heartfelt regrets.". Niagara Falls and NU officials focus on off-campus housing issues 'neglected for far too long' The key to solving problems cited by DeVeaux neighborhood residents in Niagara Falls about Niagara University's off-campus student housing will be collaboration and keeping open lines of communication, according to the city's mayor and a university official. "That grant wasn't completed and this $6,000 was extra.". An official website of the United States government. Karen Abramaitys, Director 745 Main Street P.O. Longtime local football fans might remember him as Cliff Scott, who was the Niagara Frontier Publications. Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Sentenced For Stealing Government Funds; Daughter-In-Law Also Sentenced, Seven Defendants Charged In Rochester Illegal Sports Gambling Business, Father And Son Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping Conspiracy In An Attempt To Force Their Daughter/Sister To Marry In Yemen, Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Lying To Probation Officer, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Sentenced For Stealing Government Funds; Daughter In Law Also Sentenced. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie Cowart has enlisted the service of a prominent Washington D.C. attorney who was once the top federal prosecutor in Western New York. Our communities include: Packard Court, Beloved Community, Harry S. Jordan Gardens, Anthony Spallino Towers and Henry . However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. 1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072 U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Funds; Son And Daughter-In-Law Also Convicted, Seven Defendants Charged In Rochester Illegal Sports Gambling Business, Father And Son Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping Conspiracy In An Attempt To Force Their Daughter/Sister To Marry In Yemen, Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Lying To Probation Officer, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Funds; Son And Daughter In Law Also Convicted. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority office at 744 10th St. Clifford Scott, a starting quarterback for the University at Buffalo football team in the 1990s, will be calling the signals at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, starting Monday. Industries . 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