DuPage woman charged with Section 8 housing fraud

A DuPage County woman defrauded the state by lying about how many people lived with her when she applied for Section 8 housing assistance, prosecutors said.

Nicole Bailey, 40, of the 1100 block of Buttonwood Drive in Westmont, surrendered Tuesday on felony charges of state benefits fraud and theft from a government agency. She was released after posting a $3,000 bond.

Bailey committed fraud when she claimed her husband and the father of their four children was unemployed and his whereabouts unknown on an application for government housing assistance, prosecutors said. She is accused of collecting more than $15,000 in benefits for eight years ending this month.

The DuPage County state’s attorney’s office launched the investigation based on a tip.

“Assistance programs such as Section 8 housing are in place to help less-fortunate individuals and their families who are in need of assistance,” State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said. “It is troubling to see someone take advantage of the system and in doing so perhaps deny assistance to a family truly in need, as is alleged in this case.”

If convicted, Bailey would face up to 15 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear in court in November.