REPORT: Previous West Carthage Housing Authority figures arrested on corruption charges

JEFFERSON COUNTY- The former head of West Carthage Housing Authority and her mother are faced with corruption charges, authorities say.

On Wednesday, the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna Mills, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, and the New York State Police all announced via a joint news release that Jan Hoffman, former Executive Director from 2016 to 2021, is accused of stealing over $48,000 in WCHA funds.

Meanwhile, officials say her mother, Katherine Pais, former consultant for WCHA, reportedly assisted and concealed the scheme.

Pais was hired by the board as a payable bookkeeper from 2016 to 2020, authorities said.

An investigation was launched after State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli received an anonymous tip.

Officials say that Pais allegedly not only knew about Hoffman’s continuous theft and did not report it to the board, but also prepared checks to pay Hoffman for her fraudulent reimbursements and to pay off Hoffman’s personal purchases on the housing authority’s accounts, and prepared payments that hid the thefts.

Hoffman is charged with third-degree grand larceny, charged as a crime of public corruption, and second-degree corrupting the government.

At the same time, Pais was charged with fourth-degree corrupting the government and ordered to appear in court on March 28.

“Jan Hoffman and Katherine Pais allegedly took advantage of their positions and residents in need in a scheme that allowed Hoffman to steal over $48,000 in housing authority funds,” DiNapoli said in a prepared statement.

“Thanks to the partnership between my office, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, the State Police, and the HUD OIG, they will be held accountable for their actions.”

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