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Former CEO of Atlanta-Area Daycare Chain Convicted of Stealing Nearly $2 Million in Federal Child Nutrition Funds
ATLANTA, Georgia – Antonio T. Hurt pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $2 million from a federal program that partially reimburses daycare centers for the cost of meals for needy children.
According to United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, Hurt used the money to expand his daycare business, lease luxury cars, buy jewelry, and pay for other personal expenses instead of paying for school day nutrition.
Hurt, the former CEO of Bright Star Early Learning Center, applied for the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in February 2006. The CACFP is a federal program that partially reimburses daycare centers for the cost of serving breakfast and lunch to eligible children whose family income falls below certain thresholds.
Between October 2007 and January 2010, Hurt submitted millions of dollars in CACFP reimbursement claims to the Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning on behalf of his own daycare centers.
Hurt’s guilty plea ensures that he will be held accountable for his criminal actions, said J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office.
Bobby Cagle, Commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), thanked U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates and the Northern District of Georgia for bringing Dr. Hurt to justice.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates stated that Hurt’s actions were a betrayal of the trust placed in him to manage public funds for the benefit of Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
Antonio T. Hurt’s exact criminal charges are not specified in the source, but it is mentioned that he pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $2 million from a federal program.
Hurt’s sentencing date and outcome are not specified in the source, but it can be inferred that he is currently in a state of guilt and awaiting punishment.
According to the source, the federal program that was defrauded is the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which is a federal program that partially reimburses daycare centers for the cost of serving breakfast and lunch to eligible children.
The exact dollar amount that was stolen is $1.9 million.
Hurt’s actions were a breach of trust and a betrayal of the public’s faith in the administration of public funds.
The case is a reminder that those who abuse their power and steal from the public will be held accountable.
The USDA-OIG’s investigative branch will continue to work diligently with the US Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations who defraud the CACFP and all other USDA-funded assistance programs.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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