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Mayor stands behind indicted city official Community development chief tied to $300,000 scam Comments
POST TRIBUNE BY JON SEIDEL
GARY -- Mayor Rudy Clay praised his director of community development Monday, commenting publicly for the first time since a federal grand jury said she participated in a $301,247 mortgage fraud scheme.
Jacquelyn Drago-Hunter is charged with two counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Jerry Haymon, Gary reserve police officer Phillip Rucker and mortgage broker Sheila Chandler also face wire fraud counts.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay praised indicted community development director Jacquelyn Drago-Hunter saying she is "a great God-fearing person from a great God-fearing family, and she's done a good job as community development block grant director."
A grand jury said Drago-Hunter forged paperwork and possibly signatures during private transactions to illegally divert money into bank accounts controlled by her and the co-defendants.
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Rucker is accused of taking a kickback after recruiting a buyer for one house where a fraudulent transaction took place. Chandler is accused of misrepresenting herself to a title company, lender and others.
Haymon is accused of filing false mechanics liens and distributing kickbacks to his co-defendants and other unidentified associates. One fraudulent transaction identified in the indictment allegedly took place at 4028 Tennessee St.