Bob Kasarda

HAMMOND — An area woman was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding a Merrillville not-for-profit where she worked by inappropriately directing hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID relief to herself and others, according to the local U.S. States Attorney office.

Valencia Franklin, 52, of Lynwood, reportedly pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

She will serve a year on supervised release after leaving prison and is ordered to pay $352,300 in restitution, officials said.

The not-for-profit in question was responsible in 2021 for distributing federal emergency rental assistance to local residents adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to documents in the case.

Franklin, while working for the company, prepared

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