ERIE — Gary Herzog of Smethport was arraigned in U.S. District Court Friday on a charge of theft of money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to court records, Herzog, 75, represented himself to be property owner for a tenant in the Housing Choice Voucher program. He allegedly failed to inform the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority that he transferred ownership of the property where the tenant was living back in 2007.
Herzog was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Paradise Baxter and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Court records indicate he is represented by Erie attorney Philip Friedman, and that he has requested to be tried by a jury. The matter had not been scheduled as of Wednesday.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
HUD’s office of inspector general conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
