CINCINNATI — Timothy Holland, 57, the former executive director of the Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to federal program theft, admitting to stealing tens of thousands of dollars intended to assist low-income residents in Clermont County, Ohio.
Holland served as the executive director of CMHA from 2012 until 2019, overseeing operations and maintenance of public housing units funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CMHA received over $5.9 million in federal funds annually in both 2018 and 2019 to provide housing assistance to low-income families and individuals.
According to court documents, Holland’s fraudulent activity took place from 2016 to 2019, causing a loss of at least $86,929. In 2018, Holland used the CMHA credit card to make more than $9,500 in personal purchases from retailers such as Amazon, Sirius Radio, LL Bean, and Home Depot. In 2019, he charged over $25,000 in personal purchases to the same card.
Holland also misused CMHA resources for non-business travel, including personal trips to Canada, using CMHA funds to pay for gas and hotels. Additionally, he diverted CMHA funds to pay contractors for work on his home and to furnish a “man cave” in an office he claimed was for CMHA’s nonprofit arm. The fraudulent purchases for the office included a $900 game table from Amazon, a 65-inch TV, and high-end furnishings.
“The defendant’s selfish and fraudulent actions not only put vital federal programs at risk, but also jeopardized the availability of HUD-assisted housing for those in our most vulnerable communities who rely on housing assistance programs,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Shawn Rice with the HUD Office of Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, with ongoing cooperation from HUD’s Office of Inspector General.