A Yonkers woman is accused of taking nearly $70,000 from 10 people but not coming through on her promise to find them subsidized housing in the city, the Westchester District Attorney’s Office said.
Norma Tirado, 52, was arrested by DA investigators Wednesday, April 29, on charges of third-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud, both felonies. The grand larceny charge carries a maximum prison term of seven years.
The victims – nine women and one man – told investigators that between April and August 2024 Tirado told them she could help them get Section 8 housing in exchange for cash, according to the criminal complaint filed in Yonkers City Court.
Each paid her between $5,500 and $8,000, for a total of $69,500, and filled out an application Tirado provided. One woman said that she gave Tirado her information to fill out the application. Three of the women paid Tirado in two installments.
None received housing, according to the complaint.
In a news release, Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace called Tirado’s behavior “reprehensible.”
“Our office remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Cacace said. “In this case, the defendant’s predatory scheme took advantage of hard-working people simply trying to find a place for their families to live.
Tirado was arraigned on Thursday and released without bail. She is due back in City Court on May 20.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Woman charged for stealing money with false promises to secure housing
Reporting by Jonathan Bandler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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