City of Austin employee arrested on federal embezzlement charges for previous job
A woman who has been working at the City of Austin since August of 2022 was arrested last week on federal embezzlement charges tied to her previous job with the City of Killeen, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office release and a spokesperson for the City of Austin.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A woman who has been working at the City of Austin since August 2022 was arrested last week on federal embezzlement charges tied to her previous job with the City of Killeen, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office release and a spokesperson for the City of Austin.
DeAdra Johnson, 52, allegedly stole thousands of federal dollars intended for affordable housing and housing programs through the Killeen Housing Authority, of which Johnson was the executive director, according to court documents. Those documents said she allegedly used the money to help purchase a vehicle, pay loans, her rent, bills, buy furniture and a flight for a personal trip.
Johnson is facing nine counts of "theft of government property and one county of false statement," according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
She could face up to 95 years in prison, according to that release. A federal district court judge will make that determination, it said.
Johnson has worked with the city as a project coordinator since August 2022, according to a spokesperson for the City of Austin. She is still employed with the City.
A spokesperson for the City of Austin said the following:
"We are aware that the employee has been indicted on charges related to her former employer. As a fair chance employer, the City addresses these types of situations on a case-by-case basis. As soon as the City is made aware of the situation, we conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, we consider whether or not the charges have any relation or impact on the employee’s ability to perform theirjob with the City of Austin.
In this case, the employee is a project coordinator and does not handle any funds. She was hired August 2022 and currently remains employed with the City."