LITTLE ROCK – Michael R. Lee, a 24-year-old Little Rock man, has been arrested and charged with 20 counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to steal federal money from the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program.
According to the indictment, Lee operated as a sponsor for the feeding program through an organization called Our Children of Tomorrow. His relative worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and processed applications from sponsors applying to participate in the feeding programs.
Lee allegedly applied to DHS to participate as a sponsor and had his relative approve his applications. He then falsely represented his average daily attendance and inflated the number of meals provided.
The indictment states that Lee reported attendance ranging from 115 to 450 children at one location, when no more than 25-30 children were ever seen there. At another location, he reported between 76 to 350 children, but no children were seen at that feeding site.
The statutory penalty for wire fraud is up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Lee was released on bond after appearing before United States Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on Thursday, July 9, 2015.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, United States Department of Agriculture—Office of Inspector General, and United States Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jana Harris and Allison W. Bragg. If you have any information regarding fraudulent activity in the feeding programs, please email the U.S. Attorney’s office at USAARE.FeedingProgramFraud@usdoj.gov.
An indictment contains only allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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