BUFFALO - Lori J. Macakanja, 35, of Dunkirk, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara recently.
She was also fined $298,639. Macakanja was convicted of mail fraud and theft of government money, reports the U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. His office reports she was a housing counselor for HomeFront Inc. and allegedly inappropriately requested money from clients, stating it would be used for loan modifications to prevent home foreclosures. She then allegedly used the money for her own use. According to a news release, 136 HomeFront clients were defrauded with losses totaling about $300,000. She also allegedly obtained federal grant money from the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and allegedly diverted $2,000 to pay for her mortgage.
"Many Americans are struggling to hold on to the American dream, ownership of a home," Hochul said.
He said victims of that turned to her for help in keeping their homes, alleging she then abused their trust and stole their money.