Former Nonprofit Finance Director Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds
A woman from the Midlands, Ashley Clark Ingram, has admitted to stealing government funds, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
What Happened?
Ashley was the finance director for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps build homes for people in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she applied for a special employee retention tax credit from the IRS. This was meant to help companies keep their workers during tough times. But here's the catch: she did this without telling anyone at Habitat for Humanity.
How Much Was Stolen?
Ashley managed to get $388,550.75 from the U.S. Treasury. She put this money into a bank account she controlled for Habitat for Humanity. But instead of using it for the nonprofit, she transferred the funds into multiple personal bank accounts for her own use. The DOJ found out that she misappropriated a total of $514,672.37 from the nonprofit and the government.
Consequences
Ashley faces serious legal consequences:
–Up to 10 years in federal prison
–A fine up to $250,000
–Restitution (she has to pay the money back)
She will also be under supervision for three years after any prison time.
A judge has accepted her guilty plea. Before sentencing her, the judge will review a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. This report will help decide how long she should go to prison.
What is Employee Retention Tax Credit?
This is a special kind of tax credit given by the government to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It helps them keep their employees by reducing how much they owe in taxes. Ashley applied for this credit illegally for Habitat for Humanity and then stole the money.
Simple Explanation
Imagine you asked a friend to borrow money to get through a tough time, but instead of using it for rent or essentials, you spend it all on personal items. This is pretty much what Ashley did but on a much larger scale, and with government money meant to help people during the pandemic.
By understanding this, even a housewife can see how Ashley's actions were harmful and illegal, affecting not just her but also an organization that helps families in need.
