Knoxville’s Tammy Young Pleads Guilty to $1.5M CACFP Fraud

GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a stunning turn of events, Tammy Young, 47, from Knoxville, Tennessee, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), according to Jack Smith, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

The CACFP is designed to assist child care providers by reimbursing them for meals served to low-income children. However, Young’s scheme defrauded this vital program out of over $1.5 million. She was part of All About Giving, Inc., a sponsor organization within the CACFP.

According to court documents, Young’s cousin and co-conspirator, LaShane Hayes, founded All About Giving in 2014. Together, they engaged in fraudulent activities from March 2015 to July 2016, depositing over $1 million into their bank accounts through false reimbursement requests.

Young played a pivotal role in the fraud by fabricating documents, including provider records that exaggerated meal counts and fictitious children’s names. She also enrolled providers who were not actually caring for children, further inflating the program’s expenses. During her involvement, Young personally pocketed over $54,000.

Young faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger. Hayes, who pleaded guilty earlier, was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of supervised release.

This investigation was led by the USDA’s Office of Inspector General and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis.