Willet Williams, Landlord
Unrelated to Willet Williams’ possible involvement in improper activities associated with his brother, James, he was also the subject of a financial fraud investigation in 2008.
- In 2008 Williams was the owner of several “Section 8” housing properties. Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937 provides for the payment of rent subsidies to landlords who rent to qualifying low income renters.
- Williams and a Section 8 qualified renter sent the necessary paperwork to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In short order, monthly subsidy checks began to be deposited in Williams’ bank account.
- At some point, after Williams had received about $5,000 in payments, an inspection by the Savannah Housing Authority (SHA), which administers the Section 8 program for HUD, discovered that the qualified renter had never moved in and instead an individual paying full rent was residing at the property.
- The United States Attorney considered federal prosecution, but eventually declined prosecution when Williams made full restitution. Shortly thereafter the SCMPD fraud case was referred to Internal Affairs. The case officer, Bobby Chandler, was told by SCMPD Chief Berkow and his Assistant, Willie Lovett, that the criminal case was to be closed because Williams had paid back the money.
- About two weeks after Chandler had been told to close the Williams case, he was notified that he was transfened to the Patrol Division and that he should report immediately, not even taking time to resolve pending cases.
- Earline Davis, Executive Director of SHA, was confronted by Willet Williams shmily after her notification by letter that he had fraudulently received federal subsidy money and would have to make restitution. Williams belligerently complained about being accused of fraud and shouted that he would see her in court. Davis was very upset by Williams’ behavior and made a complaint to ChiefBerkow.
- Davis later questioned Chief Berkow about why Williams had not been fired. Berkow replied that since Williams had paid the money back, he had only been reprimanded for his treatment of her. Review of disciplinary records contained in the IA Report reveals
- that Williams was reprimanded for conduct unbecoming an officer in 2007, but no disciplinary actions are noted for 2008. When interviewed on October 23, 2013 Willet Williams stated that he had not realized he had received the improper rent subsidy payments because they were deposited in an account handled by his wife. He denied inappropriate behavior with Ms. Davis, saying that she falsely accused him oftrying to intimidate her.
C. Concerning Internal Affairs
One of the chief tasks set out for MDBI in the letter of engagement was to determine if there had been interference in the IA investigation. The short answer is that no evidence of interference was found.
The problem is this turned out to be a somewhat irrelevant issue. As the MDBI inquiry went forward it became increasingly clear that there was no IA investigation in the commonly understood sense of the word. If that itself resulted from interference, none was discovered. IA first learned of the Khaalis and Willet Williams matter on June 3, 2010 when IA employees Major Dean Fagerstrom, Lt. Andre Oliver and Sgt.
Tim Thompson were instructed by Chief Lovett to report to the Savannah FBI office where they received a briefing by FBI and CNT personnel.
Captain Dean Fagerstrom
The TA case was closed on November 16, 20I0. During this five and a half month period IA interviewed Khaalis and Williams, took one written statement from Lt. Russ Smith, were briefed once at the IA office by CNT Officers Mike Delatorre and Eric Broome, met twice with FBI Agents Larry Greene and Josh Hayes and briefed Chief Willie Lovett twice. More detailed information regarding this “investigation” follows.
Lt. Russ Smith
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