Former Jacksonville Housing Authority deputy CFO arrested, accused of stealing prepaid cards intended for residents

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The former deputy chief financial officer of the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) was arrested Wednesday and accused of using prepaid cards intended for residents.

Greg Williams, 57, is now charged with one count of credit card fraud. Arrest records show he was released on bail early Thursday morning.

“The JHA board and leadership have made it clear that all employees are encouraged to report fraud, waste and abuse, and today's outcome is an example of how this is being put into action,” a JHA spokesman said after his arrest.

According to Williams' arrest report, the investigation began on April 19 when Dennis Lohr, the former CFO of JHA, contacted an investigator with the city's Office of the Inspector General. According to the report, Lohr told the investigator that 13 prepaid cards, each valued at $50.00, for a total of $650.00, were missing.

According to the report, the JHA issues prepaid cards to its residents when they have to leave their apartments due to circumstances beyond its control, such as renovations or repairs.

The payout of the prepaid cards was usually handled by a JHA accountant who was out of the office on extended leave from January 2024 to mid-March 2024. According to the report, the accountant was the one who first noticed the prepaid cards were missing.

JSO said transaction histories showed 13 prepaid cards were used between January 26, 2024, and March 1, 2024. According to the report, the prepaid cards were used at various locations, including three at a Publix supermarket on 103rd Street, about a mile from where Williams lived. According to the report, another card was used at Biscotti's, a restaurant in Jacksonville's Avondale neighborhood.

The report further states that the investigator obtained card transaction data for Publix showing that two stolen prepaid cards were used at the same checkout on February 2.

Williams' arrest report indicates this occurred while he was comptroller for Jacksonville Housing. It's unclear when he was appointed deputy CFO, but JHA confirms he was fired on May 30 for failing to return to work. News4JAX has asked JHA to provide the approximate date Williams was appointed deputy CFO. We will share that information as soon as we have it.

According to JSO, the total damage discovered during the investigation is currently approximately $9,500. News4JAX has reached out to Williams for comment, but he has indicated he would not like to comment.

He did not appear in court at his first hearing Thursday morning and, according to jail records, he was no longer in custody.