COLUMBIA, S.C. – A calculated betrayal of trust landed Ashley Clark Ingram, 34, in federal court today, as she pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds. The former director of finance and operations for Habitat for Humanity of Central South Carolina systematically pilfered over half a million dollars, exploiting a pandemic-era relief program for personal gain.
The scheme, uncovered by the FBI Columbia Field Office, reveals Ingram brazenly applied for an employee retention tax credit with the IRS on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, all without the nonprofit’s knowledge. She then rerouted $388,550.75 in funds from the United States Treasury into a Habitat for Humanity account she secretly controlled. This wasn’t a simple accounting error; it was a deliberate act of theft.
From that compromised account, Ingram funneled the stolen money into multiple personal bank accounts, effectively appropriating it for her own use. The total misappropriation reached a staggering $514,672.37 – money meant to support affordable housing initiatives, instead lining Ingram’s pockets. The audacity of the crime is compounded by the fact it preyed on a charity dedicated to helping others.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted Ingram’s guilty plea, setting the stage for sentencing. Ingram now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Beyond incarceration, she’s looking at a potential fine of up to $250,000, mandatory restitution to cover the stolen funds, and three years of supervised release after her prison term.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case, determined to hold Ingram accountable for her actions. The U.S. Probation Office is currently preparing a sentencing report, which will be reviewed by Judge Lewis before a sentencing date is set. This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of trust are not above the law.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system. The full extent of Ingram’s spending and the impact on Habitat for Humanity remain under investigation, but one thing is clear: this wasn’t just a financial crime, it was a violation of the public’s trust and a slap in the face to those who rely on organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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