News 12 at 6 o'clock / Thursday, September 2, 2010

AUGUSTA---News 12 first told you about a statewide operation that landed several local Section 8 families in jail. They're accused of stealing federal housing funds. Now the city of Augusta is demanding accountability.

Neighbors at River Glenn Apartments on East Telfair Street, all on Section 8, say this news is bad for everyone.

Joyce Baker, Shanta Gilyard, Artis Hill, Latonya Hunt, Tilvosiet Ryans, and Katrina Smalley are behind bars, accused of taking the Augusta Housing Authority to the bank.

"It breaks my heart," said Kelly Pearson, apartment manager at River Glenn. "It really does." Pearson manages Section 8 families.

"We're all human, and--" Pearson couldn't continue as she worked to hold back tears, thinking of the people who could really use the money. "There's so many of them who just, they need help. And that's what I'm here to do, is to help them in any way possible."

More than 600 families are on a Section 8 waiting list here at River Glenn Apartments alone. The rent here starts at $50 a month.

The Augusta Housing Authority says the six women who were arrested across Augusta in this alleged fraud have essentially stolen $50,000 from the federal government.

"We would love for everybody to come in and give us the truth to begin with," said Public Housing Director Jake Oglesby.

"This has to be embarrassing, for somebody to try and game the system," we said.

"It is embarrassing that they were able to game us," Oglesby said. "But it's also a testament to our casework, is that they were diligent in weeding out the bad apples."

"The challenge now is getting the money back," we said.

"Getting the money back," Oglesby agreed. "And if a family is working, then they will have their wages garnished."

News 12 also talked to Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Mason. "Somebody's to blame. Somebody dropped the ball," we said.

"Obviously the ball's been dropped," Mason said. "Now the question is where, and how can we keep this from happening in the future?"

Mason is calling for a roundtable discussion.

"So I'm coming not telling them what to do, but asking them, how can we help, as a city government, help police up the situations that we find ourselves in today?"

"It breaks my heart," Pearson said. "I care. I care. I really do."

The Commission will meet with the Augusta Housing Authority tomorrow (September 3).