On Friday, October 12, 2018, former Department of Agriculture (GDA) employee Shakerah Hall pled guilty to four (4) counts of Public Housing fraud (OCGA 16-9-55a) and was sentenced to pay restitution in the amount of $26,724.00, serve probation for forty-eight (48) months, perform 200 hours of community service, and not seek or hold State employment again.

From 2008 to 2016, Hall falsely under-reported her income to the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) to participate in the Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program. Per program rules, the less income an individual receives, the more his or her rent is subsidized. Hall was able to receive approximately $49,614.00 in excess benefit assistance due to her scheme.

The case was initially referred to the OIG by the former GDA Chief Financial Officer Kelly Dudley and GDA Inspector General Gary Kelley.  The case was investigated by Deputy Inspector General Austin Mayberry with the OIG.  Assistant Attorney General Blair McGowan prosecuted the case.