Charity Fraud Cases Involve More Than $15 Million

Several U.S. fraud cases involved money intended for education, charitable aid or investors being diverted for personal use. In California, former charity finance manager Carrie Lynn Grant was sentenced to 27 months in prison after stealing more than $1.6 million and using it for expenses including luxury travel, sports tickets and a Hawaii condominium. New Jersey financial planner Paul Beers pleaded guilty to a Ponzi-like scheme that took more than $11 million from at least 65 investors, leaving them with losses exceeding $9.7 million; he faces sentencing and must repay victims. In Michigan, nonprofit founder Nkechy Ezeh received more than five years in prison for diverting about $1.4 million, a fraud that preceded the organization’s closure and the loss of 35 jobs. New York charity founder Keith Taylor was sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing more than $2.5 million in donations, using the money for personal expenses and a fabricated board to conceal his actions.