JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The former Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) was arrested Wednesday and accused of using prepaid cards that were meant for residents.
Greg Williams, 57, now faces one count of fraudulent use of a credit card. Jail records show he bonded out early Thursday morning.
“The JHA board and leadership have made clear that all employees are encouraged to report fraud, waste and abuse, and today’s outcome was an example of this in action,” a JHA spokesperson said following his arrest.
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According to Williams’ arrest report, the investigation started on April 19 when the JHA’s former CFO, Dennis Lohr, reached out to an investigator with the city’s Office of the Inspector General. The report says Lohr told the investigator that 13 prepaid cards, valued at $50.00 each for a total of $650.00, were missing.
The report said JHA issues prepaid cards to its residents when they have to be out of their units due to circumstances beyond their control, such as renovations or repairs.
The disbursement of the prepaid cards was typically handled by a JHA accountant who had been out of the office on extended leave from January 2024 to mid-March 2024. The report says the accountant was the one who first discovered the prepaid cards were missing.
JSO said transaction histories revealed that 13 prepaid cards had been used between Jan. 26, 2024, and March 1, 2024. The report said the prepaid cards were used at various locations, including three at a Publix Supermarket on 103rd Street, about a mile away from where Williams lives. The report says another was used at Biscotti’s, a restaurant in Jacksonville’s Avondale neighborhood.
The report goes on to say the investigator received card transaction data for Publix revealing two stolen prepaid cards were used at the same cashier lane on Feb. 2.
Williams’ arrest report indicates this transpired while he was comptroller for the Jacksonville Housing. It is unclear when he was appointed Deputy CFO, but JHA confirms he was terminated May 30 for not returning to work. News4JAX has asked JHA to provide the approximate date Williams was appointed Deputy CFO. We will share that information once it is received.
At this time, JSO says the known total loss discovered during the investigation is approximately $9,500. News4JAX reached out to Williams for comment, but he has indicated he is not willing to issue a statement.
He did not face a judge for his first appearance Thursday morning and jail records indicated he was no longer locked up.