An employee with the Palatka Housing Authority pleaded guilty to funneling over $150,000 intended for the organization into a separate company that he controlled, the Department of Justice said Friday.

Thomas Hoffman worked at PHA in information technology and accounts payable. PHA received federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The DOJ said the fraud began at least in July 2023 and continued through February 2025.

He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, as well as forfeiture of $155,706 and restitution to the victim.

The DOJ said that bank surveillance footage obtained by investigators showed Hoffman cashing PHA checks issued to Data Max, the company he owned and used to embezzle the money.

“Thomas Hoffman took advanta

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