RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA) said it is cracking down on fraud. Since 2002, the RHA has investigated 155 cases where someone lied about their income to get more federal money. New access to reports from the Employment Security Commission is helping the housing authority spot fraud.

Police records allege that

Diane Murray

defrauded the RHA out of more than $32,000 over a 4-year period. Housing subsidies are based on income and investigators said Murray lied about her earnings to the RHA.

"When you're talking about going back 7, 8, 9 years in rent paid out, it adds up quickly," said Sgt. Gary Hinnant, of the Raleigh Police Department.

Police investigators said the RHA is able to catch more of the people because they are getting better access to employment records.

Raleigh police said it investigated and charged people in 10 cases in 2003. Officials expect that number to increase in 2004.

"It's public money. The Raleigh Housing Authority is policing its own. They're doing a very good job bringing it to our attention so we can investigate it," Hinnant said.

RHA residents pay 30 percent of their gross income in rent. If they change jobs and their income increases, they must report it to the RHA within 10 days.