Brickbat: Help Yourself
Selene Varela has pleaded guilty to theft involving federal funds intended for homeless assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison for embezzling $41,350 by creating fake housing applications. Two other former city employees have also pleaded guilty to related charges, with one receiving a two-year sentence and another 18 months for their roles in the scheme.
- ▪Selene Varela pleaded guilty to theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.
- ▪She stole $41,350 meant for homeless assistance by creating fake landlords and tenants.
- ▪Two other former city employees also pleaded guilty to related embezzlement charges.
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Government employees Brickbat: Help Yourself Charles Oliver | 5.27.2026 4:00 AM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/Selene-Varela-Amarillo-tx-guilty-v1-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse in Amarillo, Texas" alt="J.
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