Thomas B. Hoffman, a 46-year-old resident of Florahome, has been sentenced to just over one year in federal prison for stealing federal funds while employed by the Palatka Housing Authority (PHA). U.S. District Judge Jordan E. Pratt handed down the sentence and ordered Hoffman to forfeit $155,706, the amount he obtained through his offense. He is also required to pay restitution to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
Court documents state that Hoffman worked for PHA, which receives federal funding from HUD to run public housing programs in Palatka and nearby areas. His duties included managing information technology and accounts payable functions. In 2025, an audit revealed that a company named “Data Max” had received 48 unauthorized payments from PHA’s general account between July 2023 and February 2025, totaling $155,706.
A subsequent federal investigation found that Hoffman owned Data Max and controlled its bank account. Investigators determined that he arranged for these fraudulent payments to be made and used the money for personal expenses. Bank surveillance footage showed Hoffman cashing checks made out to Data Max on several occasions.
“Thomas Hoffman’s selfish actions caused harm to multiple potential victims. He engaged in a multi-faceted fraud scheme by stealing over $155,000 in federal funds that were intended to provide housing for vulnerable community members,” said Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle with HUD’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). “He not only violated the public trust to oversee federal funds but also took away housing opportunities from our most vulnerable community members and job opportunities for other legitimate business owners. HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust to defraud HUD programs and our low-income housing communities.”
The case was investigated by HUD-OIG along with the Palatka Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian prosecuted the case, while Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko handled asset forfeiture.
