FORMER REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF NONPROFIT SENTENCED FOR BRIBERY CONSPIRACY INVOLVING FEDERAL FUNDS

摘要

A former regional director of community development for the National Community Stabilization Trust-formed in 2008 in response to the national mortgage-housing foreclosure crisis-has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. According to court documents, Sergio Barajas, of Chino Hills, CA, worked for the Trust as a regional representative over the western U.S. His duties included helping the Trust and HUD non-profit organizations locate and buy foreclosed homes under a joint program between the Trust and HUD. As part of the conspiracy: 1. Heartland Coalition agreed to pay Barajas for his influence to help Heartland Coalition participate in the program. From 2011 to late 2012, Heartland Coalition paid Barajas a total of $186,025 and purchased 626 houses in California, Nevada, and Arizona.