A United States federal court has sentenced Nigerian-born former nonprofit executive, Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months imprisonment for masterminding a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving taxpayer and donor funds meant for vulnerable preschool children.
The sentence was handed down by Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Office of the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
Ezeh, 61, who founded and led the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) in West Michigan, was also sentenced to a concurrent 60-month jail term for tax evasion. The court further ordered her to repay $1.4 million in restitution and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The former education scholar, who once served as Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Early Childhood Education Programme at Aquinas College, was immediately remanded into federal custody after sentencing.
During the proceedings, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” saying the scheme was “brazen and widespread” and targeted funds intended to support some of the most vulnerable children in the region.
Reacting to the judgment, US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, condemned Ezeh’s actions, accusing her of diverting resources meant for struggling families for personal luxury.
“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.
“The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families. Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate.”
Court documents revealed that Ezeh used the stolen funds to bankroll lavish personal expenses, including trips to Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as a family wedding.
Prosecutors also disclosed that she placed relatives on a “ghost payroll,” allowing them to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars despite doing little or no work. She was further accused of funnelling stolen money through intermediaries to family members in Nigeria.
Investigators said the nonprofit organisation received funding from several US federal programmes, including Head Start and the Department of Education, alongside donations from private organisations. ELNC had provided meals, transportation and support services to children from low-income communities before the scandal emerged.
The fraud eventually forced the closure of the nonprofit in 2023, cutting off funding to several preschools and leading to the loss of about 35 jobs.
A former ELNC bookkeeper, Sharon Killebrew, previously received a 54-month prison sentence for her role in the conspiracy.
US authorities said the case underscores the devastating consequences of abusing federal grant funds meant to support disadvantaged communities and vulnerable children.
The investigation was carried out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alongside the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler prosecuted the case.
