BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — The former director of the Bradenton Housing Authority is facing prison time after pleading guilty to theft of federal funds.
Sentencing is set Wednesday in Tampa federal court for Wenston DeSue, who ran Bradenton’s housing agency for low-income people for nine years.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that DeSue admitted stealing $276,300 by falsifying documents indicating he was at work when he was taking long lunches, running errands and enjoying movies and massages.
Federal prosecutors say DeSue faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
DeSue’s wife, former housing authority projects director Stephany West, has also pleaded guilty. She admitted to cheating the authority of $104,550 by falsifying her work hours. West is to be sentenced Sept. 9.