LITTLE ROCK—A federal judge in Arkansas has sentenced a woman to prison for her role in a scheme to steal money intended for feeding children in low-income areas.
Francine Leon, 49, of Wheatley, was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiring to commit wire fraud. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Leon operated as a sponsor for a feeding program through an organization called ‘Brighter Kids, Brighter Futures.’ At times during the period charged in the Information, Leon had approved sites in Cotton Plant, Wheatley, Poplar Grove, Morrilton, Brinkley and West Helena.
Between 2012 and 2014, Leon submitted claims to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) for reimbursement, which had inflated numbers of children fed. She received a total of approximately $1,003,630, and withdrew approximately $534,710 in cash. A portion of the money was paid to two DHS employees.
Leon is the tenth defendant to be sentenced for her involvement in the scheme to fraudulently obtain USDA program funds intended to feed children in low-income areas. Other defendants sentenced include: Kattie Jordan, 63 months’ imprisonment on March 15, 2016; Reuben Nims, 21 months’ imprisonment on November 2, 2016; Tonique Hatton, 108 months’ imprisonment on January 4, 2017; James Franklin, 24 months’ imprisonment on January 10, 2017; Maria Nelson, 30 months’ imprisonment on January 31, 2017; Michael Lee, 30 months’ imprisonment on May 1, 2017; Christopher Nichols, 3 years’ probation on May 16, 2017; Alexis Young, 18 months’ imprisonment on August 18, 2017; and Erica Warren, 18 months’ imprisonment on August 18, 2017.
The investigation into the scheme is ongoing and is being conducted by the USDA–Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations. Anyone with information about fraudulent activity regarding feeding programs should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at USAARE.FeedingProgramFraud@usdoj.gov.
Leon’s sentence is the latest development in a long-running investigation into corruption and fraud in Arkansas’s feeding programs. The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and oversight to prevent similar schemes from occurring in the future.
The USDA feeding programs in Arkansas are administered through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Sponsors who want to participate in the feeding programs must submit an application to DHS for approval. After they are approved, they can provide meals as part of the feeding programs, and they are reimbursed for the eligible meals they serve.
Leon is one of several defendants who have been sentenced in connection with the scheme. Waymon Weeams and Dortha Harper have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud USDA feeding programs and are awaiting sentencing. Jacqueline Mills and Anthony Waits were convicted on April 6, 2017, following a jury trial and are also awaiting sentencing.
Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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