Housing Authority Bust

The Blue Ridge Housing Authority has had its records seized during a search warrant that was executed by the Housing Urban Development and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation this morning. When FYN received the tip, we went to the office and spoke with David, the maintenance man. When he was told why we were there, he said

“I don’t know anything about it”

but when FYN continued to ask if the information was true or not he ignored the reporter and left the room.After leaving the office, FYN spoke with several residents of the housing project, all of which stated that they received excessive fines for frivolous reasons but paid the fines, yet records reflected that no fines have been issued or paid. Former resident, Lisa Allen, stated that prior to her voluntary relocation, she and her late husband lived in an apartment infested with black mold and office managers Misti Crowder and Crystal Guy failed to resolve the issue. Other residents, confirmed Allen’s story and further explained that after Allen vacated the apartment that they simply cut a small hole in the wall, sprayed bleach water, patched the hole and painted over the spot. The apartment is currently occupied by another tenant.

Former Housing Authority Board Member, Libby Patterson was very forthcoming with information explaining that she discovered where funds were being misappropriated and when she confronted Crowder, Guy and other board members, she was threatened by attorney, Jim Bass to be thrown in prison.

“When he said that to me, I just gathered my things, left the meeting and turned her proof into the former district attorney, Joe Hendricks.”

Patterson, also confirmed the story told by Allen and stated that she knew of several instances that items had been donated to the housing authority for use of the residents but that Crowder and Guy either sold the items to others or, on one occasion, sold nine washers and nine dryers to a scrap yard in Ellijay for scrap but requested half of the payment to be made to each of them since they couldn’t receive cash.

Residents that spoke with FYN asked to remain anonymous due to threats and retaliation from property management since they have been threatened to lose their homes in the past. FYN will continue to follow the latest developments of this story and keep you up to date.