A San Francisco man has copped to lifting a hefty sum of over $340,000 from programs meant to help the city's poorest families find shelter after rocking a decade-long con in which he lied about his income and assets to snatch up government housing funds. Gregory Finkelson admitted to his high-dollar scheme in federal court on May 6, recognizing that his misdeeds swiped crucial aid from those living on the fringe, confirmed by United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and reps from the FBI, HUD OIG, and IRS CI.
Details from the plea agreement, as cracked by the justice department, showed Finkelson played the system from August 2006 to February 2020, scooping up Section 8 Program subsidies by masquerading as a man of meager means. He went to great lengths to discreetly claim ownership of a San Francisco residence worth $2.4 million and a business he operated there. To throw off the scent, Finkelson used a Russian national's name to fake a landlord-tenant relationship and slyly move money around through multiple bank accounts. This plea was reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California.
"This defendant fraudulently obtained housing benefits designated for some of the neediest individuals in our society and used them to enrich himself," Ramsey slammed. Mark Kaminsky, Special Agent in Charge at HUD OIG, backed up that sentiment, stating, "Finkelson stole money that was intended to provide safe housing for low-income families and used it for his own self-enrichment," according to the Justice Department's release.
The indictment says Finkelson was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 25, 2023, and has now pleaded guilty this week to one count of theft of government property. This crime could have him stashed behind bars for a decade. Additionally, as part of any sentence, Finkelson might be required to fork over up to $250,000 in fines and spend up to three years under supervised release. However, the court will impose any sentence after heavily weighing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the relevant federal statute.
Finkelson didn't walk away without having to promise payback—he's agreed to repay at least $341,455 in restitution, matching the amount he lifted from the government. His sentencing hearing is pegged for September 9, 2024. Assistant United States Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Kevin Yeh are leading the prosecution with a boost from Claudia Hyslop and Laurence Macaraeg—the team appreciates the elbow grease from the FBI, HUD OIG, and CI, getting an assist from SFHA.
