During a review of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Jacksonville’s Office of Inspector General reported that it uncovered five previously unreported cases of fraud involving more than $314,000. The office has referred those cases to state and federal prosecutors for criminal prosecution.

The program’s funds could be used for payment of rent or utilities or other housing expenses that were incurred directly or indirectly because of the COVID-19 outbreak. A report detailing the inspector general’s review says Jacksonville appropriated $72,399,077.67 of funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury from March 2021 through March 2023.

The most notable fraud case, according to the report, involved a single landlord associated with 49 tenant applications. Of those, 13 were approved, resulting in that landlord receiving $217,389.25. The funds were disbursed by three different subcontractors hired by the city. One of the contractors had paid on three applications before identifying potential fraud and halting additional payments.

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