Housing support manager accused of stealing $162K from COVID fund

NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the arrest of Tina Marie Yorgey, 53, of Norristown, on multiple felonies related to stealing $162,680 from the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Coalition (ERUC) Fund.

The investigation into Yorgey began in November 2021 when a program manager with Your Way Home contacted the Montgomery County Detective Bureau about suspected fraud in several applications for federal COVID relief funds. As the Montgomery County oversight agency, Your Way Home was responsible for dispersing the relief funds to six county social services agencies that received and reviewed assistance applications from anyone facing eviction or utility shut-off due to COVID-related financial hardship. These applications relied on self-certification as the federal government wanted to pro

vide assistance quickly and with little encumbrances. Payments were made to landlords and then directly to tenants when landlords chose not to participate.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau launched an investigation into Yorgey’s actions and found that she had submitted fraudulent claims and forged documents to obtain money that was purported to be back rent that was owed. Documents forged by the defendant included leases for properties that had no leases, forged IRS W-9 tax forms, fraudulent application paperwork, a fraudulent Power of Attorney document, forged Notary documents and materials, as well as other false leases and financial documents. Yorgey listed herself as an “individual representing others” as well as used her company, East Moore Properties, to apply for rental assistance under the pretext that the applicants were not only residing in the listed rental properties but were also severely in arrears with their rent payments.

As a result, Yorgey received funding on nine ERUC applications, with eight applications to various Montgomery County social services agencies. She received between $16,500 and $22,500 on each application, with a total amount of $162,680. Upon receiving the federal monies, the investigation found that the funds were deposited into Yorgey’s accounts and were used to renovate her own home, for personal dinners and food expenses and to make purchases of goods for her personal use. The defendant also made multiple cash transfers into her own personal account.

“The fraudulent rental assistance applications submitted by this defendant stole funds specifically directed by the U.S. government to help people who were experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic,” said DA Steele. “These funds were provided through Montgomery County, which received them to support residents who were facing eviction. Instead, more than $162,000 was taken by this defendant for her own personal use, thereby stealing the funds from those in true need.”

Yorgey was arrested and charged with felony counts of Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition, Theft by Deception, Receiving Stolen Property, Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Forgery and Identity Theft and misdemeanor counts of Tampering with Records/ Identification and Securing Execution of Documents by Deception. She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Henry J. Schireson, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., Oct. 12, 2022 before Magisterial District Judge Margaret A. Hunsicker.

The case was investigated by Montgomery County Det. Jean Morrison and will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lisa Caulfield.

Tina Yorgey