Prison for woman who ripped off clients

DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) - A woman who stole from 136 of her housing clients was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Thursday.

35-year-old Lori Macakanja of Dunkirk was also ordered to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to her victims. Prosecutors say Macakanja requested money from her clients while working for HomeFront, Inc., telling them it would be used for loan modifications to prevent foreclosures. Instead, Macakanja used the money to gamble.

She also obtained federal grant money from the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency for HomeFront clients and on at least two occasions used that money to pay $2,000 on her own mortgage.

After serving her prison sentence, she will be on post supervised release for three years.