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Topeka Man Uses Federal Grant Funds as Shopping Money
A former employee of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) has pleaded guilty to misapplying thousands of dollars the tribe received in federal grants and using the money to purchase sports memorabilia.
According to a U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas press release, Robert L. Johnson, 56, of Topeka, Kansas, pleaded guilty on February 16, 2023, to one count of misusing federal grant funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A). The count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Johnson was a former employee of the PBPN’s Housing Department. As part of his plea agreement, Johnson admitted that he used his position to misapply approximately $13,600 in federal grant funds, which were intended to be used for housing projects on the PBPN reservation.
Instead of using the grant funds for their intended purpose, Johnson used the money to purchase sports memorabilia, including autographed baseballs and other collectibles. Johnson also admitted to falsifying records to conceal his misuse of the grant funds.
As part of his plea agreement, Johnson has agreed to pay $13,600 in restitution to the PBPN. Johnson is currently free on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2023.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI‘s Kansas City Field Office, in conjunction with the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Office of the Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine A. Aaby and Tricia K. Olson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source â†â€â€ÂÂ
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