Newark cop admits scamming Section 8 housing program

NEWARK -- A Newark police officer admitted Monday he lied about his living arrangements for more than five years in order to obtain federal rent subsidies, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Luis Cancel, 50, admitted he conspired with another person to obtain Section 8 public housing benefits to which he was not entitled. Section 8 provides assistance based on the income of all those in the household.

Cancel, who was a sergeant on the force, has been suspended without pay, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said Monday. He will go before a trial board to determine his ultimate fate with the department.

Between January 2010 and May 2015, Cancel lived with another person, with both agreeing not to disclose this information to the Section 8 program. In addition to the NPD, Cancel also worked security for the Robert Treat Hotel.

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