AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — More than $620,000 in federal rent assistance meant to help Amarillo’s homeless residents was instead stolen by three former city employees, the latest of whom has now pleaded guilty in federal court.
Selene Varela, a former city employee, pleaded guilty at the federal courthouse in Amarillo in connection with the embezzlement of federal funds. According to court documents obtained by ABC 7 News, Varela embezzled more than $41,000.
In September 2020, Varela completed a fraudulent payment voucher for six months of rent using her personal address as the location needing assistance and a relative’s name for the tenant…