HICKORY, N.C. — Hickory city leaders have called a special meeting after allegations of misuse of federal funds by the Hickory Public Housing Authority.
The agency has come under fire in the past for misspending taxpayer dollars.
The complaint was made by several former employees who claim the Housing Authority used the money on everything from make-up to expensive meals.
The Hickory Housing Authority oversees as many as 300-low income homes in the city.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has made a complaint questioning the money that the Hickory Housing Authority spends on their own employees.
A former employee told WSOC on Tuesday that she along with other female workers were each given $150 of taxpayer money for Mary K products.
iPads were also bought for all the board members and employees ate at expensive restaurants all with federal funds.
“iPads and makeup, and expensive parties when someone needs a door that doesn't squeak or a window that's blowing cold air. I think those concerns need to be addressed when you're addressing the community of disadvantaged people,” a former employee said.
"No misuse of funds and no non-federal funds were used for staff appreciation items. There was no personal or financial gain to me personally," Alanda Richardson, director of the Hickory Housing Authority said.
Mayor of the city of Hickory, Rudy Wright, said he asked for a meeting to discuss the housing authority. He says council members appoint the housing authority's board members.
"This memo comes along and we say maybe it's time for us to assess our role, the way we're carrying out our responsibility now, and whether that is the right way for the future," Wright said.
In 2012, Richardson, director of the Hickory Housing Authority, was part of a HUD investigation where investigators found her ex-husband got a $2800 contract for lawn maintenance and a board member's own brother received more than $500,000 to keep the buildings maintained.
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