Debbie Norris Woodell, the former executive director of the Dunn Housing Authority in North Carolina, was sentenced on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, to two years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal taxpayer money from the agency.

According to prosecutors, between 2016 and 2021, Woodell collaborated with others to steal more than $200,000. They did so by creating fake bids and invoices for maintenance work that was never performed, forging documents, misleading the housing authority's board, and using agency credit cards for personal expenses. These personal purchases included home improvements and an ATV.

In addition to her prison sentence, Woodell is required to repay $238,448 to the U.S. government.

Sources