EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Kenyada T. Harris, 42, a former Public Aid Eligibility Assistant and Library Director, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for embezzling over $100,000 from the East St. Louis Public Library and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Harris pleaded guilty in March 2026 to eight counts of wire fraud, theft from federally funded programs, and bank fraud. Following her imprisonment, she will serve two years on supervised release. The judge also ordered Harris to pay $102,249 in restitution.
"Those who abuse a position of trust and steal taxpayer funds must be held accountable," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. Public resources belong to the community, not to those who believe they are above the law."
According to court documents, between March 2022 and March 2023, Harris was employed as a Public Aid Eligibility Assistant at the St. Clair County Family Community Resource Center through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Harris was responsible for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged LINK cards and issuing new LINK cards to low-income IDHS customers to use to obtain food and cash assistance benefits. Instead of providing new customers with a LINK card, Harris would use the cards for herself, her family members and friends.
Over the course of her scheme, records report that Harris used 98 distinct cards for her own personal gain. In total, her actions resulted in a loss of over $10,000 to IDHS. Harris’ actions resulted in a loss amount to the East St. Louis Public Library in the amount of $91,937.
"Public service is a privilege, not an opportunity for self-enrichment," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. By diverting funds meant for essential library services and food assistance, the defendant prioritized her personal interests over the needs of her neighbors. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure public resources remain in the hands of citizens they are intended to serve.
FBI Springfield’s Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
Defendant: Kenyada T. Harris
Criminal Charges: Eight counts of wire fraud, theft from federally funded programs, and bank fraud
City and State: East St. Louis, Illinois
Exact Date: 2026 (sentencing)
Sentence: 15 months in prison, two years on supervised release, and ordered to pay $102,249 in restitution
Dollar Amount: $102,249 (restitution), $10,000 (IDHS loss), $91,937 (East St. Louis Public Library loss)
Related Federal Cases
- Matthew S. Liebheit, Embezzlement and False Bank Entries, Illinois 2014 · Alaska
- Katherine Nicholle Brown, Embezzlement, Missouri 2012 · Kansas
- Jevon M. Jenkins, Aiding and Abetting Kidnapping, Illinois 2012 · Arkansas
- Steven L. Carson, Firearm Possession, Illinois 2012 · Indiana
- Dan Stephen Daniels, Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography, Illinois 2015 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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