Myrna Thomas Quarles, 58, of Cotton Valley, Louisiana, is accused of stealing more than $1 million from a federal feeding program meant to nourish low-income children, according to a federal indictment unsealed today. The money was funneled through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a lifeline for struggling families during school breaks — funds that prosecutors say Quarles weaponized for personal gain.
Quarles, director of the Webster Parish-based nonprofit Greater Horizons Developmental Services, faces 37 federal counts, including five counts of theft of government property, five counts of forged securities of the states and private entities, and 27 counts of money laundering. From 2014 through 2015, her organization submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims that wildly inflated the number of meals actually served, investigators allege.
Greater Horizons received federal reimbursements tied to meal counts verified by the state of Louisiana. But instead of feeding children, Quarles allegedly padded the numbers to siphon off more than $1 million. Once the checks cleared, she wrote disbursements to fake vendors and third parties — only to deposit the cash directly into personal accounts, federal authorities say.
If convicted, Quarles faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each theft and forgery count, and up to 20 years for each money laundering charge. She also risks up to five years of supervised release, a $500,000 fine, full restitution, and the government’s seizure of real estate and equipment bought with stolen SFSP funds.
The investigation was a multi-agency operation led by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, and the State of Louisiana’s Office of State Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook.
An indictment is not a conviction. Myrna Thomas Quarles is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Still, the charges paint a damning picture of betrayal — one that exploited a program designed to feed hungry kids, turning charity into cold, calculated theft.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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