Ashley Clark Ingram, 34, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds for misappropriating funds from Habitat for Humanity of Central South Carolina.
The evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that while employed as the director of finance and operations for Habitat for Humanity, Ingram applied for an employee retention tax credit for retaining employees during the COVID-19 pandemic from the IRS on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, but without the knowledge of the nonprofit.
Ingram then received checks totaling $388,550.75 from the United States Treasury and deposited the funds into a Habitat for Humanity account that she controlled. Ingram transferred the money from the Habitat for Humanity account into multiple personal bank accounts and appropriated it to her own use.
In total, Ingram misappropriated approximately $514,672.37 from Habitat for Humanity and the United States Government. This brazen act of theft has left many questioning the lack of oversight within the nonprofit organization.
Ingram faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and a total of three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Ingram at a future date after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case. The guilty plea is a result of the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to hold individuals accountable for their crimes, especially those that involve the theft of government funds.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability within organizations, especially those that handle government funds. It also highlights the need for robust internal controls to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
RELATED: Habitat Heist: Finance Director Admits $514K Theft
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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