A New York man has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in embezzling over $883,000 in federal feeding program funds.
Darrell Devonish, 53, of New York City, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, to 41 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for wire fraud and money laundering.
Between February 2017 and August 2019, Devonish’s non-profit company, Rebuilding Better Communities, sought and received $1,074,328.45 in federal feeding program funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Devonish converted nearly $900,000 of these funds for his personal use, including more than $175,000 in jewelry purchases; more than $45,000 in payments toward the purchase and financing of a 2015 Mercedes S550 and 2018 Jeep Wrangler; more than $75,000 in clothing and cosmetics purchases; more than $12,000 in liquor purchases; more than $100,000 in entertainment, travel, and dining purchases, including international travel; and more than $220,000 in cash withdraws from ATMs.
“The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) were created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance. Those who are involved in fraud and abuse of USDA feeding programs will be investigated by our office to protect the integrity of these programs,” said USDA Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker.
Judge Wilson further ordered Devonish to pay restitution in the amount of $883,518.33.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Williams and Samuel S. Dalke.
Related Federal Cases
- Laquanta Grant, Tax Fraud and Identity Theft, Alabama 2010 · Washington
- Debra Biagi, Wire Fraud, Pennsylvania 2016 · Connecticut
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · New York
- Adetunji Gbadegeshi, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Erie PA, 2023 · Indiana
- Bola Peters Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Erie PA, … · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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