The director of a nonprofit in Missouri has been indicted for allegedly stealing millions from a program that was meant to provide meals to underprivileged children. This despicable act has left many in shock and has drawn attention to the vulnerable population that is often preyed upon by criminals.
According to an indictment announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday, Connie Bobo, the executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center, has been charged with multiple counts, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. It is believed that Bobo embezzled funds from the USDA, which were meant to feed low-income school-aged children outside of school hours.
The nonprofit, which is located in Bridgeton, received approximately $11 million from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services between February 2019 and March 2022. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that the purchases made only accounted for less than half of the claimed six million meals. The rest of the money allegedly went towards personal expenditures.
It is horrifying to think that someone would take advantage of a program that was meant to help children in need. But for Bobo, it seems that greed overtook her moral compass. The DOJ press release states, “She spent more on luxury goods and gave nearly $1.4 million to her romantic partner, who spent $211,907 on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon.” This behavior shows a complete lack of empathy for those who were supposed to benefit from the program.
Missouri nonprofit exec accused of multi-million dollar student meal fraud. Investigation by @FBIStLouis and @OIGUSDA https://t.co/hcv9gwTeM4
— U.S. Attorney – Eastern Missouri (@USAO_EDMO) October 26, 2023
“This indictment shows that we will aggressively pursue those who defraud a program intended to feed needy children, and those who exploited loopholes created by a global pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming in the press release. It is encouraging to see that authorities are taking swift action to hold criminals accountable for their actions and to seek restitution for the misappropriated funds.
It is a sad reality that there are individuals out there who are willing to take advantage of vulnerable populations, especially children. It is up to society to stand up against these criminals and demand justice for those who have been wronged. As parents, caregivers, and members of the community, it is our responsibility to protect our children from harm and to speak out against those who seek to exploit them.
Props to @stltoday's @jacobbarker, who pieced together key evidence of the pandemic aid fraud of Connie Bobo a year ago. Now she's facing multiple felonies: https://t.co/NUl6BMua16
— Sarah Fenske (@sarahfenske) October 26, 2023
In a world where innocence is often taken advantage of, it is essential to stand together and fight against such heinous acts. We must continue to shed light on these issues and demand stricter laws and consequences for those who commit crimes against children.