Former Colonial Village Manager Charged with Stealing Over $250K

Sylvia Sherman accused of exploiting Haitian immigrants by renting out uninhabitable units

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The former manager of a troubled apartment complex in Columbus, Ohio, Sylvia Sherman, has been charged with stealing over $250,000 from Haitian immigrant tenants over the course of a year. Sherman allegedly rented out uninhabitable units at Colonial Village, which had been deemed unfit for living, and pocketed the rent payments through apps and money orders.

Why it matters

This case highlights the exploitation of vulnerable immigrant communities and the need for stronger oversight and regulation of low-income housing complexes. It also raises concerns about the broader issue of tenant trafficking and the lack of protections for marginalized renters.

The details

Prosecutors say that Sherman, 43, rented out uninhabitable units at Colonial Village, which had been deemed unfit for living by Columbus Code Enforcement, to mostly Haitian immigrant tenants. She allegedly gave them fake leases and accepted payments through apps and money orders before transferring the money to her own accounts. Over the course of a year, Sherman is accused of pocketing more than $258,000 this way.

  • Between August 2022 and October 2023, Sherman worked as the on-site property manager at Colonial Village.
  • In late 2023, more than 800 people were relocated from the apartments into hotels after the property was ordered to be vacated.
  • In 2025, the property was bought for $15.1 million, renovated, and reopened as The Rand.

The players

Sylvia Sherman

A 43-year-old woman from Reynoldsburg, Ohio who was the former on-site property manager at Colonial Village apartments.

Nathan Akamine

The attorney representing Sylvia Sherman.

Myra Schueurer

The assistant Franklin County prosecutor handling the case against Sylvia Sherman.

Colonial Village

A troubled apartment complex in Columbus, Ohio that was deemed unfit for living by code enforcement.

The Rand

The name of the apartment complex that was opened in 2025 after the Colonial Village property was bought, renovated, and updated.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Sylvia Sherman to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the exploitation of vulnerable immigrant communities and the need for stronger oversight and regulation of low-income housing complexes to prevent tenant trafficking and protect marginalized renters.