Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Harvey Short, 32, of Cleveland, was arraigned today on two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud as well as 26 counts of wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that, from March 10, 2017, through October 10, 2018, Short was part of a conspiracy that entered into a lease and obtained renters insurance for a residential property in Cleveland that later burned in a fire under suspicious circumstances. Short submitted fictitious receipts to obtain monies for purported living expenses and personal property.

The indictment further alleges that, from April 14, 2017, through September 7, 2018, Short was part of a conspiracy that submitted fraudulent paperwork understating his income to obtain subsidized housing benefits as part of a housing assistance program. He claimed he had no present income when, in fact, he knew that he was receiving income.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Fire Arson Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian McDonough and John Hanley.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at https://www.justice.gov/history.

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