Texas Woman Pleaded Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining Emergency Rental Assistance Under A COVID-19 Relief Program

Summary

A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho dated Tuesday, February 25, 2025, announcing that Tanisha Gray, 39, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to wire fraud over emergency rental assistance from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association and other states' housing programs. The release describes the Emergency Rental Assistance program established by Congress in early 2021 and the association's role as its administrator for Idaho. According to the release, from in or around 2022 through 2023 she sought rental assistance from the association and other housing programs by submitting false applications. It was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott.

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Full text

Press Release

Texas Woman Pleaded Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining Emergency Rental Assistance Under A COVID-19 Relief Program

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Idaho

BOISE – Tanisha Gray, 39, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today. Gray fraudulently obtained emergency rental assistance from Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) and other states’ housing programs that were providing housing assistance for individuals unable to pay rent due to a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early 2021, Congress established the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to provide financial assistance to eligible low-income households to cover the costs of rent, rental arrears, utilities, and other housing-related expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. IHFA was an administrator of the ERA program for the state of Idaho and received federal funds to provide housing assistance during the pandemic. IHFA provided emergency rent and utility assistance to eligible Idaho renters who had experienced a financial hardship due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households could receive assistance with their rental arrearages, plus three months of future rent, and utility assistance, if requested.

According to court records, from in or around 2022 through 2023, Gray sought rental assistance from the IHFA and other housing programs by submitting false and fraudulent applications that falsely identified herself as a landlord for various properties. As part of the scheme, Gray also submitted fraudulent supporting documentation including fictitious leases, property management agreements, ledgers for rental arrears, tenant income records, addresses, and certifications of eligibility. As a result of the fraudulent applications Gray submitted and caused to be submitted to the various emergency rental assistance programs in Idaho and other states, Gray received more than $62,000 in fraud proceeds.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill will sentence Gray on May 14, 2025. The charge in this case is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the investigations by the Boise Police Department and the United States Secret Service, as well as the assistance of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S Attorney Brittney Campbell is prosecuting this case.

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Contact

CASSIE FULGHUM

Public Information Officer

(208) 334-1211

Updated February 25, 2025

Topics

COVID-Related Fraud

Financial Fraud

Components

U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

USAO - Idaho

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