Around The Region

Two Howard County residents receiving federal rent subsidies were convicted of fraud and expelled from the program, and a joint county-federal housing investigation is continuing into several other cases, according to county officials. Stacy L. Spann, the county housing director, said that 10 unauthorized residents in nine subsidized units were evicted as a result of the yearlong probe, in which officials used computers to cross-check addresses of rent-assisted units with those of people on parole or probation, or on the sex offender registry. County officials worked with investigators from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which sponsors programs in Howard. Sharonda Green, 35, who lived in North Laurel, lost her subsidy and pleaded guilty to fraud in District Court after officials found that a convicted sex offender with a history of violence and drug dealing had been living with her, a violation of program rules, officials said. She was ordered to repay $6,695 in benefits and was barred from future assistance. Lynette R. Lee, 39, of Columbia, a participant since 2002, was convicted of theft and housing fraud Jan. 27, officials said. Lee was fined $5,000 and required to repay $17,000. She was barred from participation in housing subsidy programs. Lee failed to disclose having a full-time job and had an unauthorized adult living with her who also had a full-time job. She misrepresented her income to continue receiving a subsidy, housing officials said.

Larry Carson

Motorcyclist who died identified by police

Yesterday, city police identified the Halethorpe man who died Saturday afternoon shortly after the motorcycle he was driving crashed into another vehicle near St. Agnes Hospital. Police said Curtis Amburgey, 42, of the 4500 block of Linden Ave. was driving a 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster west in the 3300 block of Wilkens Ave. about 1 p.m. when he collided with a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis. Officer William Murray said Amburgey was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he died.

Richard Irwin