Home builder convicted of stealing from federal housing grant program
A home builder was convicted Thursday in Las Vegas of stealing money from a federal housing grant program in 2004.
William Aubrey, 69, of Mesquite was convicted after a 13-day trial of two counts of conversion of funds from a tribal organization. Senior U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson is scheduled to sentence Aubrey on Aug. 7.
“The Navajo Nation counted on the monies stolen by the defendant to provide housing for its members,” U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said in a statement. “This defendant stole from the tribe and from the American people, and used the monies to finance an extravagant lifestyle.”
The other defendant, Chester Carl, CEO of the Navajo Housing Authority, was acquitted of bribery and conspiracy charges, his lawyer Todd Leventhal said.
Aubrey owns and operates a private housing development company called Lodgebuilder.
Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.
