OCHA Director Admits To Embezzlement, Feds Say

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Housing Authority Executive Director Alesia Watson has admitted to embezzling federal funds received by authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said on Monday. Watson, 54, of Galloway Township, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with one count of embezzling federal funds received from HUD and administered by the housing authority to which she was not entitled. She embezzled between $6,500 and $15,000, according to authorities.

As executive director, Watson had access to two credit cards maintained by the housing authority. She admitted that from December 2013 through March 2015, she bought 69 MasterCard gift cards using the housing authority’s credit cards, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

She then used the gift cards for personal expenses not related to the housing authority. She also admitted to allowing her friends and family to use those cards, according to authorities.

Watson used the funds received from HUD and administered by the housing authority to pay the credit card bills associated with the purchase of the gift cards.

She faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15.

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