A United States federal court has sentenced a Nigerian-born academic and former nonprofit chief executive, Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a $1.4 million fraud involving public and donor funds earmarked for early childhood education programmes for vulnerable children.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou in the Western District of Michigan, according to a statement issued by the Office of the US Attorney.
The court also imposed a concurrent 60-month term for tax evasion and ordered Ezeh to repay $1.4 million in restitution, alongside an additional $390,174 to the US Internal Revenue Service. She was taken into federal custody immediately after sentencing.
Ezeh, 61, of Kent County, Michigan, founded and served as chief executive of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit that provided early childhood education services in underserved communities.
She also previously worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of Early Childhood Education at Aquinas College.
Delivering judgment, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh in strong terms, calling her conduct “brazen and widespread,” and characterising her as “a fraud and a thief,” noting that the funds involved were meant for some of the most vulnerable children in the region.
US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, said the convict diverted public and donor funds meant for low-income families for personal enrichment.
He said the stolen resources, which could have supported hundreds of children, were instead used for luxury spending and private benefit, describing the offence as a betrayal of public trust.
Court documents revealed that the funds were allegedly spent on personal travel to destinations including Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as family-related expenses such as a wedding ceremony.
Prosecutors further told the court that relatives were placed on a “ghost payroll,” allowing them to receive substantial payments for little or no work. Investigators also alleged that part of the stolen funds was funnelled through intermediaries to family members in Nigeria.
The nonprofit, which relied on funding from US federal programmes including Head Start and the Department of Education as well as private donors, provided meals, transportation and support services to children in low-income communities. It collapsed in 2023 following the fraud scandal, leading to the closure of several preschools and the loss of 35 jobs.
A co-conspirator, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
US authorities said the case underscores growing concerns over the misuse of federal grants and its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children in disadvantaged communities.
The investigation was carried out by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, while prosecution was handled by Assistant US Attorney Clay Stiffler.
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