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Ex-Georgia housing authority director indicted in alleged $2.5 million fraud scheme
WSBTV ^ | 7/15/26

Posted on 07/15/2026 1:20:59 PM PDT by CFW

HINESVILE, Ga. — A former Georgia housing authority executive director and a Savannah man have been indicted on federal fraud charges stemming from what prosecutors say is a yearslong scheme that allegedly cost a public housing agency more than $2.5 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Melanie S. Thompson, 55, of Savannah, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 19 counts of wire fraud, and two counts of making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims. Toriono L. Byrd, 52, of Savannah, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Federal prosecutors say the scheme began as early as September 2019 and continued through October 2023 while Thompson served as executive director of the Hinesville Housing Authority.

According to the indictment, Thompson allegedly created or approved false invoices directing payments to Byrd’s private business for work that was either never completed or billed at amounts far above its actual value. Prosecutors say Byrd then allegedly funneled some of that money back to Thompson through kickback payments for her personal benefit.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsbtv.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: corruption; divideandconquer; doineedtolook; fraud; frraceobsession; frracism; frracists; georgia; housingauthority; isitthemyogi; itsalwaysthem; racialdivision; racism; themagain; usefulidiots; whitesupremacy; yesbooboo

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Thank you very much and God bless you.

Is EVERYONE in a government position crooked as hell?

I'm beginning to think the answer is "Yes".

1 posted on 07/15/2026 1:20:59 PM PDT by CFW
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To: CFW

“...Savannah man...”

Well, for once, ‘Florida Man’ is off the hook!

And, yes. Government, at all levels has become a free-for-all, line-your-pockets criminal enterprise.


2 posted on 07/15/2026 1:24:22 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: CFW

The broken link is the citizenry vetting of candidates. It requires time and attention.

That’s the problem. We like our entertainment much more.


3 posted on 07/15/2026 1:34:34 PM PDT by Salvavida
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To: CFW

Them again Boo Boo.


4 posted on 07/15/2026 1:52:19 PM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Freedom is never free. It must be won rewon and jealously guarded.)
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To: CFW

As usual Gov. Kemp is nowhere to be found.

GA is one screwed up state.


5 posted on 07/15/2026 1:53:53 PM PDT by Fledermaus (United States of America : Born July 4, 1776. Died June 30, 2026.)
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To: Fledermaus

The GIBMEDATs are really all around. They ALL should be in prison...or deported to Liberia.


6 posted on 07/15/2026 1:54:59 PM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: All

Melanie S. Thompson, 55, of Savannah, (mug shot shown) is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 19 counts of wire fraud, and two counts of making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims. Her accomplice, Toriono L. Byrd, 52, of Savannah, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

7 posted on 07/15/2026 2:02:43 PM PDT by Liz (“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1))
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To: Liz

Well, she looks nice.


8 posted on 07/15/2026 2:04:10 PM PDT by Allegra (I hate the word “literally.” )
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To: Liz

That needs a Helen Thomas warning!

9 posted on 07/15/2026 2:05:39 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: jmaroneps37

Um...please see post #7. You may wish to amend your comment.


10 posted on 07/15/2026 2:06:24 PM PDT by big truck ("This space intentionally left blank.")
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To: All

According to the indictment, Thompson allegedly created or approved false invoices directing payments to Byrd’s private business for work that was either never completed or billed at amounts far above its actual value. Prosecutors say Byrd (above in cuffs) then allegedly funneled some of that money back to Thompson through kickback payments for her personal benefit.

11 posted on 07/15/2026 2:09:44 PM PDT by Liz (“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1))
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To: Liz

What is with some relatively decent looking black men hooking up with ugly fat white women?


12 posted on 07/15/2026 3:06:27 PM PDT by WASCWatch ( WASC)
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To: Liz
That's a man, baby.

13 posted on 07/15/2026 3:08:52 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: Liz
Egads!!! I can see why she needed the money, though. Couldn't get a date without millions.


14 posted on 07/15/2026 3:18:17 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Liz

Thanks for the pictures, Liz. Sheesh.


15 posted on 07/15/2026 3:20:02 PM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization? )
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To: Liz

She needs some jolly ranchers to turn that frown upside down. 😊


16 posted on 07/15/2026 3:41:15 PM PDT by MrBambaLaMamba (עומד לצד ישראל. The only good commie is one that's dead - Country Joe McDonald. )
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To: WASCWatch

$$$$$$


17 posted on 07/15/2026 4:25:21 PM PDT by Liz (“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1))
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To: Liz

How do people do that intense frown? A lot of politicians do it. Bill Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Tim Walz, and others. On second thought, I really don’t want to know.


18 posted on 07/15/2026 5:15:31 PM PDT by stevio (Fight until you die!)
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To: CFW

Book em Danno!


19 posted on 07/15/2026 7:35:26 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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