Southeast Montana News

The former executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority has admitted to embezzling at least $100,000 from the organization. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. The defendant, Dwarne Lamont Hawkins, 46, pleaded guilty to theft from an organization receiving federal funding.

Hawkins is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided over the proceedings and set sentencing for February 7, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy.

The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hawkins has been released pending further proceedings.

According to court documents, between May 2023 and January 2024, while serving as executive director for the Whitefish Housing Authority, Hawkins embezzled funds from the organization. The Whitefish Housing Authority provides housing options for low-income families in Whitefish and received approximately $468,616 in federal funds from HUD during this period.

Hawkins reportedly stole money by diverting and inflating payrolls, fraudulently using the organization's credit card for personal expenses, and creating fraudulent invoices to businesses he controlled. In January 2024 alone, Hawkins allegedly created false invoices from companies where he held controlling interests and wired $76,750 on January 16 and $23,250 on January 22 from the housing authority's accounts.

The investigation identified approximately $150,000 in restitution owed due to these activities.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General.