Chicago Pastor Wilkerson & Crew Nabbed in $714K Food Fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Chicago pastor and four accomplices have confessed to systematically looting a federal program designed to feed hungry kids. Robbie Wilkerson, 49, founding pastor of New Birth Christian Center, along with his wife, Tasha Wilkerson, 44, of Oak Park, Ill., and three co-conspirators, pled guilty to charges stemming from a brazen scheme to defraud the Summer Food Service Program.

Robbie Wilkerson admitted to wire fraud and money laundering, while Tasha Wilkerson pled guilty to theft of government funds. Also entering guilty pleas were Anthony Hall, 54, a New Birth Christian Center pastor from Downers Grove, Ill., the program’s former business administrator; Richard Shumate, 51, the program operations manager; and his wife, Evelyn Shumate, 48, an assistant, both of Romeoville, Ill. Each of the Shumates and Hall pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds.

The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aims to provide nutritious meals to low-income children during the summer months. New Birth Christian Center operated the program in 2008, 2009, and 2010, becoming one of the largest recipients of funds in Illinois. In 2010, Wilkerson submitted a budget of $446,440 to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), allocating $250,000 for food and $26,400 for administration, claiming the program would serve kids at 34 locations across Chicago.

But the claims were a lie. Robbie Wilkerson confessed to submitting roughly $714,000 in false and fraudulent claims – over $250,000 above the approved budget. The program supposedly served 267,000 meals, but the reality was closer to 100,000. The difference – as much as $450,000 – went straight into the pockets of the defendants. The Wilkerson’s personally pocketed over $100,000, with Tasha Wilkerson continuing to collect a paycheck as a prevention coordinator for Youth Outreach Services, Chicago, while the money flowed. Funds were also diverted to relatives, cash withdrawals, and the purchase of real estate in Chicago and a residence in Memphis, Tenn., for Wilkerson’s parents.

Anthony Hall admitted to embezzling approximately $50,800, exceeding the program’s allocated administrative costs by over $20,000. Richard and Evelyn Shumate siphoned off between $40,000 and $95,000 for their own use, including $28,695 to purchase a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Sentencing is scheduled for the coming weeks: Robbie and Tasha Wilkerson on Oct. 6, 2017; Hall on Sept. 22; and the Shumates on Sept. 15, 2017.

Prosecutors intend to recommend 37 months in prison and $400,000 in restitution for Robbie Wilkerson. For Tasha Wilkerson, Hall, and the Shumates, the government has agreed to a split sentence of five months in prison followed by five months of home confinement, plus restitution. However, these are merely recommendations; the judge ultimately decides the fate of these fraudsters, considering sentencing guidelines and other factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass is leading the prosecution.