Former Stilwell Housing Authority head sentenced to prison

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A federal judge sentences the former executive director of the Stilwell Housing Authority for embezzling more than $38,000 from the agency.<br/><br/>US District Judge James Payne

Wednesday, September 21st 2005, 5:46 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A federal judge sentences the former executive director of the Stilwell Housing Authority for embezzling more than $38,000 from the agency.

US District Judge James Payne on Tuesday ordered Vicky Crook to serve 18 months in prison and make restitution.

Crook was found guilty at a trial in May, when it was established that she had stolen more than $50,000 in rent payments from the agency, where she worked from 1994 to 2002.

US Attorney Sheldon Sperling says Crook reportedly converted the funds to her own use from April 2000 to March 2001.

Sperling says a Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General investigation revealed deposit deficiencies for subsidized rent from the Stilwell Housing Authority.

He says that after being confronted by auditors and HUD officials, Crook falsely accused and fired Della Thomas, who was the assistant director in the two-person office.

Crook was ordered to begin serving her sentence October 20th.