Although authority board members would not comment on whether these actions were related to an FBI investigation of Cowart, who will retire in March, board attorney Jason J. Cafarella said that the authority has concluded its internal investigation. "I made a terrible decision and I am truly sorry," Cowart told the judge. The agency has received multiple grants from the foundation in its history. During the time period that Allen Cowart was paid a $50 hourly pay rate, he received $11,583 more than he would have, had he been paid the $23 hourly pay rate. Larry Scott Blackmon New York Association of Chapters of Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 100 Black Men. Patent trader. In installation, ACWC executive director shares personal story; . cmscott@nfha.org. An official website of the United States government. Weve been advised that theres not much we can say publicly, Paterson said. PHAS scores in other systems are not to be On behalf of Ms. Cowart, this money is returned in connection with a check Ms. Cowart had received in December of 2014. Longtime local football fans might remember him as Cliff Scott, who was the starting quarterback for the University at Buffalo Bulls from 1991 to 1994. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ", Cowart told Arcara she had always tried to be "an advocate for the needy and disadvantaged.". Through the provision of public housing apartments and the management of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority serves low-income families and . Rochester, NY 14614. "I was surprised when the checks were returned, because there was no specific action taken by the board," said Cafarella after the meeting. Intake Process. Conrad ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education in 2019. "If I was you," the judge said, "I'd pay that fine as soon as you can and get on with your life.". The Niagara Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners has tapped a Grand Island native to be its next executive director. Edit Details Section. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. Megna starts immediately and plans to serve through this legislative session and assist with the . The privately funded, local not-for-profit cut the check after the authority pitched a productive lifestyle seminar run by two state-certified teachers that was supposed to span 10 weeks the following year. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who handled the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. According a synopsis of the grant, filed in the authoritys records, Allen and Fredia were designated to serve as instructors for the program and would use role-playing exercises, conflict resolution techniques and situational exercises to teach young people how to make productive decisions in challenging environments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, who handled the case, stated that between 1997 and July 21, 2016, Stephanie Cowart served as Executive Director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA), an organization that has received federal funding. Member maria v. lopez. Before it was given to Cowarts relatives, the money for the seminar was obtained from the Niagara Area Foundation, a division of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, by a not-for-profit incorporated withthe authoritys name and address, People and Possibilities, Inc. NIAGARA FALLS Applications are due April 30 for the Jean Hopkins Memorial . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He held a similar post in Kansas City, Mo., before going to Youngstown, Ohio, as housing authority executive director in 2008. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority board of commissioners has selected Beacon Communities LLC as the co-developer on the Harry S. Jordan Gardens Housing Redevelopment in the Highland/Beech area of the City of Niagara Falls. relied upon and are not being used by the Department. Experience Create a Healthier Niagara Collaborative July 2015 - Present Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center November 2014 - July 2015 Hillside Family of Agencies October 2012 - August 2014 Hillside Family of Agencies August 2010 - November 2012 Niagara Falls Housing Authority July 2008 - May 2010 Family & Children's Service of Niagara, Inc. July 2007 - May 2008 Family & Children's Service of . The waiting list for the City of Niagara Falls Housing Choice Voucher program is now closed. Vice President, International at S'well . Minister of Mines. In 2013, the Niagara Area Foundation awarded a $6,000 grant to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to fund an extracurricular educational program for disadvantaged youths in the Cataract City. However, Stephanie Cowart directed that effective October 23, 2013, her son was to be paid an hourly rate of $50. Actually, he was sacked 12 times by Hofstra in 1993, according to Brian Wolff, UB director of athletic communications. Dave DiCenzo2023-01-12T16:21:35+00:00November 14th, 2022|Categories: Public News|Tags: bank on buffalo, buffalo, Doris Jones Community Resource Center, New York, NFHA, Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, NY|. Cowart, the executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for nearly two decades, was put on paid leave on July 21 by the board. Longtime local football fans might remember him as Cliff Scott, who was the A press release stated, NFHA is the largest landlord in the City of Niagara Falls and predominantly serves low- to moderate-income individuals and families. A three member commission is responsible for administrating the provisions of the civil service law . Director. "We are committed to empowering and enriching the Niagara Falls community." Niagara Falls Housing Authority executive director retains Michael Battle. Cowart and her sister have declined to comment in recent months when contacted by The Buffalo News. "Please accept my heartfelt regrets.". The decision to remove Cowart came amid an FBI investigation at the authority. I can't get over this violation of public trust.". Cloudy. . In existence for more than 70 years, it serves the low- to very-low-income population. the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, Representative Brian Higgins Office (NY-26), Heart, Love and Soul, Northpointe Council, 1199SEIU Healthcare Education Project, Community Missions, INC., and the Niagara Community Action Program, along with various . During his UB career, Scott was sacked 140 times, which is indeed the school's all-time record. 455 followers 456 connections. I've been very fortunate to turn each one around, some more than others," Scott said. Become a CNA today! April Simpson Former Tenant Association President Queensbridge Houses. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Scott was "almost universally the top choice," Soda said. Executive Director, Niagara Falls Housing Authority Member Robert B. Cliffe . She will not return to work. Industries . HOUSING AUTHORITY: Executive director remains on indefinite leave. The average hourly pay is $22.0 in Niagara Falls, NY. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Niagara Falls Housing Authority ends its investigation of director. Official websites use .gov The special agent-in-charge of the Buffalo Division of the FBI said she failed in her efforts. Whose fish (fry) will swim to the top - and whose will flop? Low around 30F. Phone: 716-773-7676 Although the intentions for it to be done were there, it became a matter of controversy, Elmore said. He said Williams is eligible for housing authority housing, so if she doesn't purchase the property, the board will find her suitable housing in another authority property. The engagement started with a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of the Attorney General NYS Preservation Opportunity Program and Executive Director Clifford Scott. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). That prompted the board to authorize the sale of the property. Allen Cowart falsely claimed that he was performing the work of two teachers under the Advantage After School Program and was paid more than two times the normal hourly pay rate for one teacher position. Clifford Scott . Beacon Communities is a privately owned real estate firm that develops, acquires, invests in, and manages a wide range of multifamily housing. Niagara Falls and NU officials focus on off-campus housing issues 'neglected for far too long' The key to solving problems cited by DeVeaux neighborhood residents in Niagara Falls about Niagara University's off-campus student housing will be collaboration and keeping open lines of communication, according to the city's mayor and a university official. New Falls Housing Authority director, a former UB QB, is used to tough assignments. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority management team includes Stephanie Cowart (Executive Director), Patricia Barone (Interim Executive Director), and Tomorrow Allen-Collins (Deputy Executive Director of Administration). For more information, visit https://nfha.org/. In particular, the judge pointed to 30 letters, written by people as diverse as former Congressman John LaFalce, former Falls Police Superintendent John Chella, former Niagara University President Father Joseph Levesque, Niagara County Elections Commissioner Lora Allen and local pastors, the Rev. The Authority's 2012-13 fiscal year budget was $6.9 million. Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie Cowart has enlisted the service of a prominent Washington D.C. attorney who was once the top federal prosecutor in Western New York. 479 16th Street. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The People and Possibilities board of directors has shuffled leadership over its life-span, but in the years 2013-14 included former city Board of Education President Carmellette Rotella, current BOE member Kevin Dobbs and Niagara County Legislator Owen Steed, D-Niagara Falls. Stephanie and Fredia Cowart have also paid full restitution totaling approximately $17,000. NIAGARA FALLS The Niagara Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners accepted a $6,000 repayment from a son of suspended Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart and decided to sell a single-family home occupied by Cowart's sisterat its meeting Tuesday. JUDGE: Sentence below federal guidelines was 'fair, just and reasonable' for ex-Falls housing chief. In the meantime, we thank you for understanding and respecting the constraints within which were operating, he said. SUNY Empire State College. As recently as this summer, Cowart wrote in the authoritys quarterly publication, the Niagara Carrier, about the local need for constructive programming that reaches young people. On Nov. 22, the board reached an agreement with Cowart . Elmore, with the law offices of Boyd and Elmore, did not return a further request for comment, including an explanation as to why the money, despite the illness, was not returned until a few months ago. The sentence was exactly what Cowart and her lawyer requested. Name Niagara Falls Housing Authority Address 3001 9th Street Niagara Falls, New York, 14305 Phone 716-285-5374 Hours Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-9:00 PM During that time, while the city population dropped, she has fulfilled her job . You have permission to edit this article. Seven were interviewed, and four received second interviews. He filed his resignation in 2007, two years after his appointment, during a public debate concerning the administration's dismissal of seven attorneys he was told to inform of their removal. Asked by a reporter, "Why did you do it?" In addition, a check for $3,000, which was returned by Cowarts son through his attorneys law firm, came attached to a pay stub that makes reference to a federal investigation in the city of Niagara Falls. James Maher said the school and the hospital have been teaming up for years on revitalization initiatives for the Niagara Falls area, more recently with an eye to . The smart way to start your day. The salary associated with this appointment was $23 an hour. Five Star Bank . Scott, 47, was New York State director of the Housing Choice Voucher program from 2003 to 2007. "I know some of the people who wrote these letters and I know they were sincere in what they said. A locked padlock A 37-year-old Buffalo firefighter died while fighting a four-alarm blaze on Main Street downtown that may have been sparked by work being done, While Amherst police were on the scene, a number of fights started among groups within the crowd in the mall lot on Alberta and in the Wegmans, The new renderings released by the Bills include an up-close view from the field level, three exterior stadium views with more detail than has. 716-285-6961. Harvey Kelly and the Rev. A Freedom of Information Act request sent by the Gazette revealed the documents that showed Allen Cowart, a teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District, and his wife, Fredia Cowart, also a district teacher, each returned $3,000 to the authority about a month after the FBIs interest was made public. "I know nothing in regards to the criminal investigation," said Cafarella. Allen Cowart's attorney, Barry Covert, labeled one check dated Sept. 9 "Federal Investigation re: Niagara Falls.". Clifford Scott, a starting quarterback for the University at . Address, Phone Number, and Hours for Niagara Falls Housing Authority, a Housing Authority, at 9th Street, Niagara Falls NY. niagara falls housing authority. Box 69, Niagara Falls, NY 14302 | phone: (716) 286 8800 | fax: (716) 286 8809 . A locked padlock The selection of Beacon Communities will significantly impact the area's rehabilitation process as they are known for implementing efficient plans that entail care, consideration and compassion. Fortunately, not all public servants are similarly motivated, and those who abuse their positions of trust, such as Cowart, can be brought to justice by those who, like our state and federal law enforcement officers who worked this case, faithfully serve the public with honor and integrity., Public corruption is the FBIs top criminal investigative priority because it poses a fundamental threat to the way government and communities operate every day, said Kevin P. Lyons, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBIs Buffalo Division. You have permission to edit this article. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Official websites use .gov "He said he was the most sacked and most intercepted quarterback in UB history," said Frank A. Battle was not a significant part of the Department of Justice's subsequent investigation, which concluded without filing charges, according to national media reports from the time. Federal prosecutors claimed in a criminal complaint that Allen and Fredia Cowart pocketed the cash and never conducted the program, which was called A Better Me. Cowart, who appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds and acknowledged signing off on a teaching job and a training . Niagara Falls Community Development | 745 Main Street, P.O. But Cowart was facing a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for her guilty pleato stealing federal funds in a scheme involving her son and daughter-in-law. Yvonne Nasri is a business executive specializing in human resources and is a leadership coach. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority is committed to removing as many obstacles as possible to empower individuals and families to reach these goals. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. And with nearly 3,000 migrants in total having been transferred since July, community services of the city are feeling . However, Allen and Fredia Cowart never actually conducted any presentations related to the A Better Me project. 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