A United States District Court has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, a Nigerian-born professor and former executive director of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in federal prison over a $1.4 million fraud scheme.
The sentence was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Office of the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
Court Orders Restitution
Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Ezeh to 70 months imprisonment and also imposed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
The court further ordered her to pay $1.4 million in restitution and an additional $390,174 to the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Ezeh, 61, from Kent County, Michigan, founded and previously served as CEO of Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on providing educational support and early childhood services in underserved communities.
She also worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of Early Childhood Education Programme at Aquinas College.
She was immediately remanded into federal custody after sentencing.
Judge Describes Scheme As “Brazen”
During the proceedings, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” saying the operation was widespread and targeted funds meant for vulnerable children.
US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, said the convict diverted funds intended for low-income children for personal benefit.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.
“She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself.”
Funds Allegedly Used For Luxury Trips, Family Expenses
According to court documents, prosecutors said Ezeh used the stolen money to fund personal expenses, including trips to Hawaii, Europe and Africa.
Authorities also alleged that some of the funds were used for a family wedding and that relatives were placed on a “ghost payroll” where they allegedly received payments despite doing little or no work.
Prosecutors further accused her of transferring stolen funds through intermediaries to family members in Nigeria.
The nonprofit reportedly received funding from US federal programmes, including Head Start, the Department of Education and private donors.
The organisation provided meals, transportation and support services to children from low-income communities.
Nonprofit Shut Down After Fraud Discovery
Following the discovery of the fraud, ELNC shut down operations in 2023, resulting in the loss of funding for several preschools and the dismissal of about 35 employees.
A former bookkeeper at the organisation, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months imprisonment for her role in the fraud scheme.
US authorities said the case exposes the devastating impact of grant fraud on vulnerable communities and children dependent on public support programmes.
The investigation was carried out by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alongside the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit.