Questionable transactions: Spending released for Hickory Housing Authority

HICKORY, N.C. — The City of Hickory has released new credit card statements over concerns about some of the purchases made by the head of the Public Housing Authority.

The news comes months after city leaders considered a resolution to abolish the HPHA. Channel 9′s Dave Faherty, who was in Hickory on Monday, covered similar allegations in 2015.

City officials said the new credit card statements reveal “multiple questionable charges” apparently made by the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Alanda Richardson.

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The mayor said the City of Hickory received numerous complaints from citizens and they’re concerned by the poor performance of the HPHA.

Back in 2015, Channel 9 questioned Richardson about purchases made then and her employing family members.

Last Friday, Hickory emailed the Housing Public Authority’s credit card statement with Richardson’s name on it.

On the statements from July 2022-Sept. 2024, Channel 9 could see charges of nearly $900 to a beauty boutique and another $900 to Dillard’s, along with Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel.

Richardson wasn’t available Tuesday but spoke with Channel 9 in 2015 about providing employees with Mary K products, buying iPads for board members, and spending thousands on trips to Martha’s Vineyard, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas.

“I have no regrets. No. Training is crucial. Staff development is important,” Richardson said.

Already several residents in Hickory have questions about those charges.

“It’s ridiculous – makes no sense,” resident Lijah Wilfong told Channel 9. “And this is the same woman that used to preach to me and tell me I should stay out of trouble.”

Hickory City leaders suggested having the Western Piedmont Council of Government oversee the hundreds of apartments.

Richardson sent a statement Tuesday afternoon from her attorney about her contract and a reimbursement report for expenses but would not answer any questions on how exactly the money was spent.

A resident, who goes by Jay, showed Faherty a busted waterline feet from her apartment run by the Hickory Housing Authority. She and other residents say it’s been like that for months.

“We just try to stay away from that water,” the woman said. “I try to keep the kids away from the water. It’s been like that for a while.”

The woman said she called the maintenance office.

“They got one emergency number and then they don’t come,” she said.

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