A United States federal court has sentenced Nigerian-born academic and former nonprofit executive Professor Nkechy Ezeh to 70 months in prison for masterminding a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving funds intended for vulnerable preschool children.
The sentencing was announced by the Office of the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan in a statement released on Wednesday.
Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou handed down the sentence, which also included a concurrent 60-month jail term for tax evasion. Ezeh was additionally ordered to repay $1.4 million in restitution and $390,174 to the US Internal Revenue Service.
Ezeh, 61, who lives in Kent County, Michigan, founded and previously served as chief executive officer of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), a nonprofit organization focused on providing early childhood education and support services in underserved communities.
She also worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Early Childhood Education Programme at Aquinas College.
Following sentencing, Ezeh was immediately taken into federal custody.
During the hearing, Judge Jarbou described the former nonprofit leader as “a fraud and a thief,” saying the scheme was both “brazen and widespread” and involved money intended to support some of the most vulnerable children in the region.
US Attorney Timothy VerHey accused Ezeh of diverting funds meant for disadvantaged children toward personal expenses.
“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,” he said.
Authorities said ELNC received funding from several US federal programmes, including Head Start and the Department of Education, as well as private donors. The organization provided meals, transportation and educational support for children from low-income communities.
The fallout from the fraud forced the nonprofit to shut down in 2023, resulting in funding losses for several preschools and the dismissal of 35 employees.
A former bookkeeper at the organization, Sharon Killebrew, who prosecutors identified as a co-conspirator, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months in prison for her involvement in the scheme.
US investigators said the case underscored the devastating effects of abusing federal grant programmes, especially those designed to support vulnerable children and struggling communities.
The investigation was led by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, together with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit, while Assistant US Attorney Clay Stiffler handled the prosecution.
