NEW YORK – Federal authorities announce the arrest of Agnes Bernier, an employee at New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYHCR), for allegedly stealing more than $944,000 in federal government funds that were intended to be used by New York State to provide rent subsidies for low-income families. Bernier was arrested today and presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck.  She will be arraigned on January 26.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “As alleged, Agnes Bernier exploited her access to federal housing subsidies intended to benefit poor and low-income families to benefit herself. Her alleged crimes have two sets of victims – the people who rely on this money to help them secure housing, and the taxpayers whose dollars fund the program itself. We will continue to target public officials who break the law, and hold them to account for their alleged crimes.”

In her role at NYCHR, Bernier was responsible for, among other things, processing federal “Section 8” housing subsidy refund payments to New York State’s Housing Trust Fund Corporation (“HTFC”). From 2004 through 2011, Bernier allegedly used her position at NYCHR to steal more than $944,000 in refund payments that were payable to the HTFC. On hundreds of occasions, Bernier allegedly stole money orders made out to the HTFC, by writing her own name over the letters “HTFC,” and then depositing the money orders into her personal bank accounts.

Bernier, 55, of Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of theft of U.S. government property, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.