A West Palm Beach woman is facing charges that she defrauded the Palm Beach County Housing Authority of more than $72,000 over a four-year period, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Ford
Patricia Ann Ford was released Tuesday from the Palm Beach County Jail after she posted a $6,000 bond. Ford, 47, faces charges of public aid fraud between $200 and $20,000 and larceny between $20,000 and $100,000.
According to an arrest report, Ford was not eligible for rental assistance from the housing authority because she didn’t report that her son has a criminal history. Public Housing Authority regulations forbid assistance if any household member has engaged in drug-related or violent crime within the past five years.
Ra’Keem Tristan Simmons, 20, has been arrested several times since 2010 including on charges of armed robbery, grand theft of a vehicle and resisting arrest.
Ford received a total of $72,111 in 53 payments made to landlords on her behalf between February 4, 2011 and July 27, according to the arrest report.
