Low around 30F. Clifford Scott has been working as a Executive Director at Niagara Falls Housing Authority for 3 years. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Compensation-Related Payments to the Executive Director Thomas P. DiNapoli. However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. View Profile . The Niagara Falls Housing Authority oversees both public housing and voucher programs, if available. I've been very fortunate to turn each one around, some more than others," Scott said. "That's my background. ", We are excited to work with the Niagara Falls Housing Authority on this important project, which will upgrade and preserve affordable, safe, reliable housing at a time when the need for it is higher than ever, said Nicole Ferreira, executive vice president of development at Beacon Communities, who oversees the companys efforts across New York. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Downtown Niagara Falls near the Seneca Niagara Casino. Between October 2013 and January 2015, Stephanie Cowart, being an agent of a state authority, and being aided by Allen and Fredia Cowart, stole $6,000 from the NFHA. The average hourly pay is $22.0 in Niagara Falls, NY. But Battle said the probe was "not something we are talking about right now" when asked of the situation. Allen Cowart's attorney, Barry Covert, labeled one check dated Sept. 9 "Federal Investigation re: Niagara Falls.". You have permission to edit this article. Clifford Scott, NFHA's executive director, said, "The Niagara Falls Housing Authority chose to partner with the New York Power Authority on this project because it aligns with . Soda, authority board chairman, said Scott "gravitates to troubled housing authorities.". 100 State Street Suite 500 To mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the sexual abuse scandal in the Buffalo Diocese, The Buffalo News spoke with the two whistleblow. In stealing public funds, the defendant put her own interests ahead not only of taxpayers but of the very people she was supposed to be helping, said U.S. Attorney Kennedy. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The money was to be used for A Better Me, a project that was to teach children and youth the importance of proper etiquette, what bullying is and what they can do about it and to teach educational empowerment tools. The NAF grant proceeds for the A Better Me project were deposited directly into the NFHAs operating account. Cowart said nothing and walked away. In separate years, Battle and Cowart appeared on Buffalo Business First's "40 under 40" during the mid-1990s. Executive Director Niagara Falls Housing Authority. "That grant wasn't completed and this $6,000 was extra.". Whose fish (fry) will swim to the top - and whose will flop? Alma mater. They didn't publicly discuss during their meeting any link between the $6,000 and the federal investigation of Stephanie Cowart. "It has some crime problems (among tenants) we're going to have to address," Scott said. Patersons remarks preceded a two-hour closed door session on Aug. 9 wherein the board discussed an unspecified personnel issue.. For more information, visit www.beaconcommunitiesllc.com. For more information, visit https://nfha.org/. Niagara Falls Housing Authority ends its investigation of director. The federal probe is not something we are talking about right now, he said in August. A scheme that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara said left him deeply troubled. Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Real Estate Guide. 1. Although the intentions for it to be done were there, it became a matter of controversy, Elmore said. However, Allen and Fredia Cowart never actually conducted any presentations related to the A Better Me project. ministry of forests. Edit Highlights Section. Regarding Fredia Cowart, Elmore said she was not a part of the program because she suffers from significant health problems and fell ill during the time the program was to be administered. 479 16th Street. Actually, he was sacked 12 times by Hofstra in 1993, according to Brian Wolff, UB director of athletic communications. As part of her plea agreement, Cowart was required to pay $17,583 in restitution. And with nearly 3,000 migrants in total having been transferred since July, community services of the city are feeling . Whether Cowart will face criminal charges related to the federal investigation is out of the authority's hands, according to Cafarella. As recently as this summer, Cowart wrote in the authoritys quarterly publication, the Niagara Carrier, about the local need for constructive programming that reaches young people. Allen Cowarts attorney did the same about a week later, on Sept. 8, with a nearly identical letter attached to his refund check,though it was absent any reference to a recent conversation with authority officials. Across New York state, the Department of Environmental Conservation says Black . Highest paying jobs in Niagara Falls, NY are General Surgeon, Surgeon, and Obstetrics Gynecology Physician. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Niagara Falls Housing Authority executive director retains Michael Battle. "I'm going to stay as long as the citizens and the Housing Authority board will have me.". For general and filing information visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Ex-Falls Housing Authority director sentenced. The Executive Director . When Stephanie Cowart used her power as the executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to steal money entrusted to her, she failed the people she was hired to serve," saidActing Special Agent-in-ChargeKevin P. Lyons. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Low around 30F. The transition did not go smoothly. PHAS scores in other systems are not to be We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who is handling the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. Minister's Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority is committed to removing as many obstacles as possible to empower individuals and families to reach these goals. Karen Abramaitys, Director 745 Main Street P.O. "If I was you," the judge said, "I'd pay that fine as soon as you can and get on with your life.". In existence for more than 70 years, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority is responsible for over 900 affordable housing opportunities. However, Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie Cowart, who is currently on paid administrative leave, is the subject of an ongoing federal probe, the details of which officials at the FBI and at the authority are unwilling to disclose. Federal prosecutors claimed in a criminal complaint that Allen and Fredia Cowart pocketed the cash and never conducted the program, which was called A Better Me. minister of natural resources and forestry. Address 744 10th St Niagara Falls, NY 14301; Industry Nonprofit; Estimated Revenue 5M . niagara falls housing authority. A Freedom of Information Act request sent by the Gazette revealed the documents that showed Allen Cowart, a teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District, and his wife, Fredia Cowart, also a district teacher, each returned $3,000 to the authority about a month after the FBIs interest was made public. He held a similar post in Kansas City, Mo., before going to Youngstown, Ohio, as housing authority executive director in 2008. A locked padlock Details. I can't get over this violation of public trust.". The agency has received multiple grants from the foundation in its history. Industries . ", "I was intending to put her in prison, strictly from the violation of public trust," Arcara said. "I have known Stephanie since my days in Buffalo," Battle said. Scott was "almost universally the top choice," Soda said. To mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the sexual abuse scandal in the Buffalo Diocese, The Buffalo News spoke with the two whistleblow. Conrad ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education in 2019. JUDGE: Sentence below federal guidelines was 'fair, just and reasonable' for ex-Falls housing chief. The scores in this Report are the official PHAS scores of record for your PHA. Niagara Falls Housing Authority employs 116 employees. View All Employees . Uncover why Niagara Falls Housing Authority is the best company for you. Scott spent a year as director of leased housing for the Yonkers Housing Authority, before returning to Youngstown and working in the private sector. A locked padlock The Niagara Area Foundation (NAF) was established in 2000 by citizens of Niagara County who were employed in the private and non-profit sectors, to provide support and charity-oriented philanthropic initiatives for residents in Niagara County. Official websites use .gov We look forward to a collaborative process that engages residents and positively impacts their lives while uplifting the greater Niagara Falls community.. The engagement started with a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of the Attorney General NYS Preservation Opportunity Program and Executive Director Clifford Scott. NFHA is the largest landlord in the . Scott takes over from Patricia L. Barone, who has been acting director for the past three years, since Stephanie W. Cowart was forced out in a corruption scandal that ended with criminal convictions for Cowart, her son and her daughter-in-law. In particular, the judge pointed to 30 letters, written by people as diverse as former Congressman John LaFalce, former Falls Police Superintendent John Chella, former Niagara University President Father Joseph Levesque, Niagara County Elections Commissioner Lora Allen and local pastors, the Rev. Kathy Hochul announced the appointment of Robert Megna as New York state budget director. Although authority board members would not comment on whether these actions were related to an FBI investigation of Cowart, who will retire in March, board attorney Jason J. Cafarella said that the authority has concluded its internal investigation. The board had some concerns and questions over that check.. Niagara University President Rev. She failed to honor the public position she held., "In a blatant abuse of power, longtime executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Stephanie Cowart failed the very people she was hired to assist by diverting public funds to her relatives through exorbitant hourly wages and grants," State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. Stephanie and Fredia Cowart have also paid full restitution totaling approximately $17,000. Harvey Kelly and the Rev. Executive Director, Executive Director, Administration. A three member commission is responsible for administrating the provisions of the civil service law . 100 State Street Suite 500 The Gazette also reported in December 2016 that Allen and Fredia Cowart had cut checks, totaling $6,000, to reimburse the authority for funds paid to them by Stephanie Cowart. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie Cowart has enlisted the service of a prominent Washington D.C. attorney who was once the top federal prosecutor in Western New York. mini excavators. Executive Offices 744 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 285-6961 Anthony Spallino Towers 720 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 285-5505 Manager: Margaret Anne Smith Henry E . "(That means) you're entitled to work hard and get a paycheck. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority's Board of Directors has said little regarding Cowart's leave. Get Directions . Fax: 716-773-7190. A lock ( Jul 7, 2019. 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The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brad Geary; and the Office of New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Division of Investigations. Dave DiCenzo2023-01-12T16:22:47+00:00August 31st, 2022|Categories: Public News|Tags: bank on buffalo, buffalo, NFHA, Niagara Falls Housing Authority|. Have a question about Government Services? 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive That money has already been repaid. Allen Cowart falsely claimed that he was performing the work of two teachers under the Advantage After School Program and was paid more than two times the normal hourly pay rate for one teacher position. The NFHA then paid Allen and Fredia Cowart for work purportedly done on the project. April Simpson Former Tenant Association President Queensbridge Houses. A lock ( You have permission to edit this article. people & possibilities inc. people and possibilities inc. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. Before it was given to Cowarts relatives, the money for the seminar was obtained from the Niagara Area Foundation, a division of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, by a not-for-profit incorporated withthe authoritys name and address, People and Possibilities, Inc. But said he has been looking to get back into an executive director's role and to return to Western New York. An official website of the United States government. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Contact Information. The house at 2168 North Ave. is called a "scattered site" house because it is not part of a centralized group of authority properties. Edit Details Section. More Information Niagara Falls Housing Authority The Niagara Falls Housing Authority provides stable, quality affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families throughout the local community. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority office at 744 10th St. Clifford Scott, a starting quarterback for the University at Buffalo football team in the 1990s, will be calling the signals at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, starting Monday. } /month + tax ) since July, community services of the Authority 's of! Sentence below federal guidelines was 'fair, just and reasonable ' for ex-Falls Housing chief separate! 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