Melissa Ann Rene

Theft details told in audit

Eunice Housing Authority’s stolen money repaid
Staff Report

An audit of the Eunice Housing Authority released Monday reported $4,687 stolen by an employee was repaid.
In August 2015, Eunice Police reported that Melissa Ann Rene, 44, of the 100 block of Tamaran Loop, Eunice, an employee of the Eunice Housing Authority, had been charged with felony theft and filing or maintaining false public records.
The charges have been dismissed.
In August 2015, police said video surveillance depicted the suspect taking documentation from the office, the news release stated.
Rene’s employment was terminated she and later gave a statement of her actions, police said.
At the time of Rene’s arrest, police estimated the theft at $1,890.80.
The audit by Pinell & Martinez, of Covington, was released the Legislative Auditor.
The audit stated internal controls implemented by the Housing Authority assisted management with discovering the funds that were not deposited into the operating account.
“Upon reconciling the tenant rental register and tenant receipts to the bank deposits, management discovered $4,687 was not deposited. Based upon copies of the receipts issued to tenants, the missing funds were traced to the Authority’s housing specialist who was responsible for preparing rental registers,” the audit stated.
The audit stated the employe stole the funds and altered the rental registers in an effort to conceal the theft.
The auditor recommended the Housing Authority no longer accept cash and turn the matter over to authorities.
The audit stated the Board amended its rent collection policy stating cash payments will no longer be accepted.
The audit stated local police,the St. Landry Parish District Attorney, Legislative Auditor and Department of Housing and Urban Development were notified of the misappropriation.
The St. Landry Parish District Attorney received full payment on Oct. 13, 2015.

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