During that time, while the city population dropped, she has fulfilled her job . The Jordan Gardens Redevelopment in Highland Beach. 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. 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. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Her attorney, Michael Battle, did not respond to a request for comment. Yvonne is a Partner with DistruptHR which hosts annual event here in Niagara bringing together speakers and leaders for an . Member maria v. lopez. Beacon Communities is a privately owned real estate firm that develops, acquires, invests in, and manages a wide range of multifamily housing. "We've always have been trying to get rid of scattered sites. Phone 716-285-7778. mvvitello@nfha.org. "Niagara Falls Housing Authority residents embody the elderly, low income and communities of color that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected. 100 State Street Suite 500 Previous to his state office, Battle served as a judge on Erie County's family court bench. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Iesha Sekou CEO & Founder Street Corner Resources. Today, we live in a challenging world, but it is so important that our youth, especially minority males, hear positive messages and have role models that look like them, she wrote in a message to residents. Frank A. "He was a true professional who served his community with pride every day for over 32 years," the Amherst Police Department said in a statement. "I have known Stephanie since my days in Buffalo," Battle said. But said he has been looking to get back into an executive director's role and to return to Western New York. The selection of Beacon Communities will significantly impact the area's rehabilitation process as they are known for implementing efficient plans that entail care, consideration and compassion. Phone: (716) 285 - 6961 . HOUSING AUTHORITY: Executive director remains on indefinite leave. A scheme that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara said left him deeply troubled. 100 State Street Suite 500 Box 69 Niagara Falls, NY 14302-0069 Phone Number (716) 286-4327. In addition, between October 2013 and June 2014, aided by his mother, Allen Cowart defrauded the NFHA and the New York Office of Children and Family Services (NYOCFS). Cowarts words appearedin the July issue of the magazine, a month before Fredia Cowarts attorney, John Elmore, wrote to the authoritys lawyer, Jason Cafarella, with a $3,000 check enclosed. Fax: 716-773-7190. How students can better manage their time, What consumers can do to support local farmers, Higgins: $7 million for Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Niagara Falls: New Dipson Capitol Theatre receives positive response from moviegoers, State Parks plans improvements to Artpark, Village of Lewiston reminds residents of short-term rental deadline, Sunday evening fire on Grand Island Boulevard, Free snowmobiling weekend: Registration waived for out-of-state snowmobilers March 3-5, From 'Hell's Kitchen' to Savor Restaurant: Chef Bobby Anderson heats up Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, Record attendance at New York state parks, Payton S. Gendron sentenced for Tops shooting, Artpark announces 'Ben Folds: What Matters Most Tour', Higgins calls on Biden to object to 'underused housing tax' imposed on US residents owning property in Canada, New York State Park Police provides update on rescue & recovery effort, Memorial Medical Center: Universal masking policy remains in effect, WNY's largest St. Patrick's Day party returns to Niagara Falls Convention Center, 'Big R': Ransomville Speedway releases 2023 schedule, 'Birds on the Niagara 2023' is Feb. 17-20. 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. Cloudy. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Minister of Mines. 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. more people more possibilities. Join to apply for the Board Member role at The Leadership Agency. 744 Tenth St. Niagara Falls, NY 14301 | Phone: (716) 285-6961 | Fax: (716) 285-3407 | TDD: 1-800-545-1833 x 405 {{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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Funds; Son And Daughter-In-Law Also Convicted, Seven Defendants Charged In Rochester Illegal Sports Gambling Business, Father And Son Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping Conspiracy In An Attempt To Force Their Daughter/Sister To Marry In Yemen, Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Lying To Probation Officer, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Funds; Son And Daughter In Law Also Convicted. 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. Cowart, who appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds and acknowledged signing off on a teaching job and a training . Address. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The waiting list for the City of Niagara Falls Housing Choice Voucher program is now closed. Specific reference to the funds do not appear onPeople and Possibilitiess public tax forms in either 2013 or 2014, despite other explanation of smaller sums obtained in those years. Outside the courtroom, both Cowart and her defense attorney, former U.S. Attorney Michael Battle, each declined to comment on the sentence. 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 . Elmore, with the law offices of Boyd and Elmore, did not return a further request for comment, including an explanation as to why the money, despite the illness, was not returned until a few months ago. "That grant wasn't completed and this $6,000 was extra.". Longtime local football fans might remember him as Cliff Scott, who was the starting quarterback for the University at Buffalo Bulls from 1991 to 1994. (Source: buffalonews.com) Stephanie W. Cowart, former executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, admitted Wednesday to working with her son and daughter-in-law to steal $17,580 from the authority and the state. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. We are not accepting ANY applications at this time. The average hourly pay is $22.0 in Niagara Falls, NY. the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, and the Niagara Falls Public Library, totaling over 1,300 positions. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Arcara told Cowart she could pay her fine over the term of her probation, but then suggested a better course. He moved to Atlantic City, N.J., to become executive director of its housing authority in 2016. The salary associated with this appointment was $23 an hour. Neither Covert nor any members of the NFHA board responded to requests for comment. He said the decision to sell the house had nothing to do with the investigation of Stephanie Cowart. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has tapped a Grand Island native to be its next executive director. Scott, 47, was New York State director of the Housing Choice Voucher program from 2003 to 2007. "Then I considered home incarceration, but I just didn't feel it would serve a purpose.". "If I was you," the judge said, "I'd pay that fine as soon as you can and get on with your life.". Phone: 716-773-7676 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. CONTACT: Barbara Burns "He was a true professional who served his community with pride every day for over 32 years," the Amherst Police Department said in a statement. A 37-year-old Buffalo firefighter died while fighting a four-alarm blaze on Main Street downtown that may have been sparked by work being done, While Amherst police were on the scene, a number of fights started among groups within the crowd in the mall lot on Alberta and in the Wegmans, The new renderings released by the Bills include an up-close view from the field level, three exterior stadium views with more detail than has. Scott's career numbers were 555 completions in 1,101 attempts, for 7,578 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority oversees both public housing and voucher programs, if available. Apply Join or sign in to find your next job. After a standout high school career at Grand Island, Scott's time at UB was rough. In September, after the investigation was underway, two checks for $3,000 each were sent to the authority on Cowart's son's behalf. Earlier this month, Jeff Paterson, NFHA board chairman, issued a statement on the situation. But it wasn't all bad. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS But Battle said the probe was "not something we are talking about right now" when asked of the situation. "There were very good letters," Arcara said. Cowart said nothing and walked away. ministry of forests. ", 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. Cloudy. We do not know when we will reopen our waiting list. Nonprofit; Niagara Falls, NY; Employees. . FAX: (716) 551-3051. Cowart relatives return checks amid FBI probe. Gov. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? First name. (Niagara Falls, NY) - The Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) Board of Commissioners has selected Beacon Communities LLC as the Co-Developer on the Harry S. Jordan Gardens Housing Complex Redevelopment in Highland/Beech, City of Niagara Falls, New York. Board President Rev. He resigned after less than a year, for what the PressofAtlanticCity.com reported were "personal reasons related to his family.". The federal probe is not something we are talking about right now, he said in August. In addition, Cowarts daughter-in-law, Fredia Cowart, 28, of Niagara Falls, NY, was sentenced to one year probation for her conviction on a misdemeanor charge of theft of government funds. 479 16th Street. mills. Join a rapidly growing career with potential for upward mobility. Cowart, the executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for nearly two decades, was put on paid leave on July 21 by the board. 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 our goals in . Find out what works well at Niagara Falls Housing Authority from the people who know best. "I lived my life, never expecting to appear in court under these circumstances," she said. Cafarella said the board is now looking for a replacement as executive director. In addition, a check for $3,000, which was returned by Cowarts son through his attorneys law firm, came attached to a pay stub that makes reference to a federal investigation in the city of Niagara Falls. The sentencing brought to an end a more-than-two-year-long investigation into Cowart, who served as the Niagara Falls Housing Authority's executive director from 1997 until her retirement from . I dont expect any announcements about the executive director to be made today. . The sentencing brought to an end amore-than-two-year-long investigation into Cowart, who served as the Niagara Falls Housing Authoritys executive director from 1997 until her retirement from the $140,000-a-year post in March 2017. Cowart and her sister have declined to comment in recent months when contacted by The Buffalo News. That cash had come to the authority in the form of a grant from the private, not-for-profit, Niagara Area Foundation. the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, Representative Brian Higgins Office (NY-26), Heart, Love and Soul, Northpointe Council, 1199SEIU Healthcare Education Project, Community Missions, INC., and the Niagara Community Action Program, along with various . 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. For general and filing information visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) 744 Tenth Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 www.nfha.org. 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. Jeffrey M. Conrad (born 1979) is an American politician who served on the Buffalo Common Council from the South District from April 2005 until January 2006. The board appointed Clifford Scott to the post. The NFHA then paid Allen and Fredia Cowart for work purportedly done on the project. "We are dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency and improving the overall quality of life of those that we serve," said Stephanie Cowart, the Housing Authority's executive director. Dave DiCenzo2023-01-12T16:21:35+00:00November 14th, 2022|Categories: Public News|Tags: bank on buffalo, buffalo, Doris Jones Community Resource Center, New York, NFHA, Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, NY|. "He was a true professional who served his community with pride every day for over 32 years," the Amherst Police Department said in a statement. 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, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York J.P. Kennedy said. 1. Highlights. PHONE: (716) 843-5817 Vice President, International at S'well . Click here for meeting minutes, agendas, and other compliance postings. However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Sentenced For Stealing Government Funds; Daughter-In-Law Also Sentenced, Seven Defendants Charged In Rochester Illegal Sports Gambling Business, Father And Son Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping Conspiracy In An Attempt To Force Their Daughter/Sister To Marry In Yemen, Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Lying To Probation Officer, Former Head Of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Sentenced For Stealing Government Funds; Daughter In Law Also Sentenced. "I know nothing in regards to the criminal investigation," said Cafarella. SEE ALL NEWS. "That's my background. Weve been advised that theres not much we can say publicly, Paterson said. Cafarella said the authority offered to sell the house to Williams, but it hasn't been able to reach an agreement with her on the price. Buffalo, N.Y. U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Stephanie W. Cowart, 59, of Grand Island, NY, who was convicted of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, was sentenced to a two year term of probation and a $2,000 fine by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Description. You have permission to edit this article. "My life's mission, my life's passion has been to build strong communities. COURTS: Former Niagara Falls Housing Authority executive director also fined $2,000. On Nov. 22, the board reached an agreement with Cowart that continues her paid leave until she officially retires on March 21. Lock None available. Member Jason Krempa. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. By Rick Pfeiffer The special agent-in-charge of the Buffalo Division of the FBI said she failed in her efforts. "He said he was the most sacked and most intercepted quarterback in UB history," said Frank A. "(That means) you're entitled to work hard and get a paycheck. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo declined to comment for this story. She will not return to work. FAX #: (716) 551-3051. An official website of the United States government. Battle was appointed to the U.S. Attorney's Office by former U.S. President George W. Bush. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Contacts 3. A lock ( As a result, NFHA has embarked on an aggressive, community-led initiative to improve this long-time neglected area., "We believe a New York state investment in this community has the potential to kickstart economic development in one of the most underserved areas in the City of Niagara Falls,'' said Clifford Scott, executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority. Eighteen people applied for the executive director job last November, Soda said. And with nearly 3,000 migrants in total having been transferred since July, community services of the city are feeling . Asked by a reporter, "Why did you do it?" 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