Kia A. Player, Wire Fraud, Virginia 2026
RICHMOND, Va. - In a shocking turn of events, Kia A. Player, 41, the director of RVA Sister's Keeper, a homeless shelter for women and children in Richmond, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with her operation of the shelter.
According to court documents, Player won a grant to operate an inclement weather shelter for homeless women and children in the Richmond metropolitan area. RVA Sister's Keeper obtained over $995,000 in governmental funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Richmond to implement and operate the shelter.
From August 2022 through April 2023, Player fabricated and falsified at least 35 separate invoices for costs purportedly paid for the benefit of RVA Sister's Keeper and its homeless residents. However, Player never made corresponding expenditures on RVA Sister's Keeper's behalf.
Player submitted these fraudulent and inflated invoices for reimbursement to the City of Richmond, causing the city to improperly disburse funds to her. The scheme caused $199,163 in actual losses to HUD and the City of Richmond.
Player used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including a tattoo, airline tickets, a luxury Caribbean ferry ride in Miami Beach, furniture, and items at an antiques store.
Player is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2026, and faces up to 20 years in prison. The exact sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth. The Office of the Inspector General for the City of Richmond provided substantial assistance with the prosecution.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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