Oregon Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing $154k from an Emergency Rental Assistance Fund

After stealing $154,000 from an emergency rental assistance program, a Gresham woman was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of first-degree aggravated theft and identity theft

Terry Charboneau (53), admitted to stealing the money earmarked to help Oregonians pay rent to avoid eviction. At the time, Charboneau worked for the Multnomah County Health Department as an executive specialist. According to court records, she used false IDs to perpetrate her crime.

On Monday, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Cheryl Albrecht sentenced her to serve five years of probation, and Charboneau was ordered to repay the proceeds of the theft to the state as part of a plea deal.

In a separate case, Safileti Pasiaka (59) faces a 14-count indictment. She is accused of conspiring with Charboneau to steal the money. She is due to appear in court on 25 February.

The emergency rental assistance fund was controlled by the Oregon Housing and Community Services agency, distributing $426 million to people facing eviction.