A Nigerian-born education professor and former nonprofit executive in Michigan, Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for orchestrating a 1.4 million dollar fraud scheme involving funds meant for vulnerable preschool children in underserved communities.
Ezeh was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison by Hala Y. Jarbou. She also received a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Ezeh diverted taxpayer and donor funds intended for low-income children through the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit she founded that provided meals, transportation, advocacy and other support services to preschool children in disadvantaged communities.
During sentencing, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” adding that the scheme was “brazen and widespread.”
The court ordered her to repay 1.4 million dollars to victims and an additional 390,174 dollars to the Internal Revenue Service. She was also remanded in prison immediately after sentencing.
Reacting to the judgment, Timothy VerHey condemned Ezeh’s actions, saying, “Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible.”
“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,” VerHey said.
He added that the stolen funds could have supported hundreds of children and families across West Michigan.