Three Akron women are facing serious charges after allegedly defrauding the U.S. Department of Education out of $1.8 million through a financial aid scheme. Janice M. Shufford, 53, Bridgid D. Sommerville, 47, and Christine M. Robinson, 38, are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The indictment alleges that the defendants enrolled inmates and people whose identities they stole in an Arizona community college in order to obtain financial aid. Financial aid is sometimes provided to eligible students by the U.S. Department of Education to help pay for college, including living expenses beyond the cost of tuition, which can be disbursed via bank debit cards.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to obtain federal student financial aid money to which the recipients were neither eligible nor entitled. For example, people who are incarcerated, or have not received a high school diploma or GED are not entitled to receive federal financial aid.
The defendants fraudulently enrolled hundreds of people at Maricopa Community College in Arizona between 2011 and 2015. As a result of the conspiracy, the U.S. Department of Education was defrauded and sustained a total loss of at least $1,826,064, according to the indictment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough following an investigation by Special Agents of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indictment was filed in Ohio, with the charges carrying significant penalties. If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The FBI will continue efforts to bring self-serving fraudsters to justice. ‘These defendants lied on applications or used stolen identities to steal money that otherwise would have gone to deserving students,’ said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. ‘Our office will continue to prosecute those who defraud the federal government.’
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Janice M. Shufford, Bridgid D. Sommerville, Christine M. Robinson
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit wire fraud; multiple counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft
City and State: Akron, Ohio
Exact Date: (No specific date given in the source)
Sentence or Outcome: (No specific sentence given in the source, but the case is ongoing)
Dollar Amounts: $1,826,064
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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