Michigan Housing Official Stole $336,000 From Poor For Booze, Makeup: Feds

DETROIT, MI — Federal prosecutors accused former St. Clair Housing Commission head Lorena Loren on Monday of spending over $336,000 in public funds on booze, make up, houses and furniture between 2008 and 2016.

Lorena Loren, 55, former Executive Director of St. Clair the Housing Commission, is being charged with conspiracy to commit federal program fraud. The scheme benefited her husband and son, as well as herself, court records say.

Prosecutors allege that Loren used the housing commission's credit cards to make purchases of $166,000 on Amazon, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, according to the Detroit News. The $60,000 worth of bedroom furniture, appliances and other household items were shipped to her relatives in Florida, court documents say.

The Detroit Free Press reported court records as saying Loren embezzled almost $25,000 to pay for her son's rental unit. She also lied on several government housing contracts, claiming her son-in-law was the landlord for low-income residents in Michigan, but the building in question was really her home in Port Austin.

The money she spent on the housing commission's credit cards also went to food, beauty supplies, clothing and medication, it is alleged.

St. Clair Mayor Bill Cedar, Jr. told the Detroit News, "Holy crap... I guess you never know what’s going on with people."

Her charge is in what is called an information, meaning she is working with the government and will likely plead guilty. If convicted, Loren will serve up to five years in federal prison.

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