<p>A woman in the US has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for embezzling over $100 million from a grant programme designed to aid military children and families, officials announced.</p>

<p>Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was found guilty of five counts of mail fraud and five counts of filing false tax returns for a complex scheme she executed over six years while working for the United States Army, stated the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.</p>

<p>Mello served as a financial manager for the Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programme at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, focusing on child and youth services, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.</p>

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<p>In December 2016, she created a company named Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which served as a facade for her fraudulent activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The company's only goal was to obtain funding through a military grant programme. Leveraging her Army position, Mello successfully swindled millions through this scheme.</p>

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<p>According to prosecutors, rather than using the grant money for youth and family services as claimed by Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, Mello diverted the funds into her personal bank account and splurged on luxuries such as clothing, vehicles, and real estate.</p>

<p>The Associated Press reported that Mello allegedly purchased luxury properties and 82 vehicles, including a Maserati, a Mercedes, a 1954 Corvette, and a Ferrari Fratelli motorcycle. In one instance, she spent $923,000 on jewellery in a single day in 2022.</p>

<p>Over the six years her business was active, authorities reported that Mello committed fraud in 49 separate cases, requesting $117 million in grants and obtaining nearly $109 million. To conceal the fraud, she also misreported her income for the tax years 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blasts-fbi-director-wray-demands-resignation-over-biden-health-cover-up-744206">Trump blasts FBI Director Wray, demands his resignation over Biden health cover-up</a></strong></p>

<p>"Janet Mello betrayed the trust of the government agency she served and repeatedly lied in an effort to enrich herself," said US Attorney Jaime Esparza in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Rather than $109 million in federal funds going to the care of military children throughout the world, she selfishly stole that money to buy extravagant houses, more than 80 vehicles and over 1,500 pieces of jewellery," Esparza said.</p>

<p>Esparza expressed that his office "will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who illegally seek personal gain at the expense of their fellow citizens."</p>

<p>Defence attorney Albert Flores told the Associated Press that Mello was deeply remorseful. "She realizes she committed a crime, she did wrong and is very ashamed," Flores said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A woman in the US has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for embezzling over $100 million from a grant programme designed to aid military children and families, officials announced.

A woman in the US has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for embezzling over $100 million from a grant programme designed to aid military children and families, officials announced. Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was found guilty of five counts of mail fraud and five counts of filing false tax returns for a complex scheme she executed over six years while working for the United States Army, stated the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. Mello served as a financial manager for the Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programme at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, focusing on child and youth services, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. × In December 2016, she created a company named Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which served as a facade for her fraudulent activities. The company's only goal was to obtain funding through a military grant programme. Leveraging her Army position, Mello successfully swindled millions through this scheme. Also read: NORAD intercepts Russian and Chinese nuclear bombers near Alaska for first time According to prosecutors, rather than using the grant money for youth and family services as claimed by Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, Mello diverted the funds into her personal bank account and splurged on luxuries such as clothing, vehicles, and real estate. The Associated Press reported that Mello allegedly purchased luxury properties and 82 vehicles, including a Maserati, a Mercedes, a 1954 Corvette, and a Ferrari Fratelli motorcycle. In one instance, she spent $923,000 on jewellery in a single day in 2022. Over the six years her business was active, authorities reported that Mello committed fraud in 49 separate cases, requesting $117 million in grants and obtaining nearly $109 million. To conceal the fraud, she also misreported her income for the tax years 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Also read: Trump blasts FBI Director Wray, demands his resignation over Biden health cover-up "Janet Mello betrayed the trust of the government agency she served and repeatedly lied in an effort to enrich herself," said US Attorney Jaime Esparza in a statement. "Rather than $109 million in federal funds going to the care of military children throughout the world, she selfishly stole that money to buy extravagant houses, more than 80 vehicles and over 1,500 pieces of jewellery," Esparza said. Esparza expressed that his office "will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who illegally seek personal gain at the expense of their fellow citizens." Defence attorney Albert Flores told the Associated Press that Mello was deeply remorseful. "She realizes she committed a crime, she did wrong and is very ashamed," Flores said. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Federal prison for ex-Army worker who embezzled $109mn from military child grant programme

<p>A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system. The woman named Shelby Hewitt, who is a former state social worker, has been charged with document forgery, identity fraud, and "uttering false or forged records, deeds or other writings." The charges were filed in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Extremely sophisticated fraud’</strong></h2>

<p>Superintendent Mary Skipper sent a letter to parents last week, informing them about the situation. According to Skipper, an adult woman used fake identification and paperwork to register and transfer schools using multiple false identities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The woman attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Brighton High School, and English High School in Jamaica Plain during the 2022-2023 school year. Skipper expressed her deep concern over the breach of trust and referred to the case as "extremely sophisticated fraud."</p>

<h2><strong>Motive&nbsp;remains unclear</strong></h2>

<p>The woman's motives for attending the high schools remain unclear, as the criminal complaint against Hewitt does not provide any information about her. As per media reports, the Boston Public Schools staff noticed irregularities in her paperwork, leading to the eventual discovery of the ‘fraud’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police were involved, and a search warrant was executed at a residence in Jamaica Plain&nbsp;where Hewitt lived with two individuals posing as her parents. During the search, officers found forged documents from Lowell Juvenile Court and the Department of Children and Families, containing custody information for individuals referred to as DBH and EAH.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US loses $200bn in COVID-19 loan fraud</strong></p>

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<p>Hewitt used the name "Daniella" at Burke High School and "Ellie" at English High School. The incident has caused great concern and unease among students, parents, and city leaders, as reported by local media.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Boston mayor ‘disturbed’</strong></h2>

<p>Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared on WBUR's "Radio Boston" and expressed her dismay at the situation, highlighting the general sense of shock and frustration within the community.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fraudsters-make-off-with-200-billion-from-covid-relief-programs-says-us-watchdog-609559"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Fraudsters make off with $200 billion from Covid Relief Programs, says US watchdog</strong></a></p>

<p>She said, “It’s extremely disturbing, right? If someone told me that an adult many decades removed from being in some of these age-appropriate settings was back in school — it’s concerning.”</p>

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A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system.

A Boston woman, aged 32, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a student and attending three different high schools in the Boston Public Schools system. The woman named Shelby Hewitt, who is a former state social worker, has been charged with document forgery, identity fraud, and "uttering false or forged records, deeds or other writings." The charges were filed in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court. ‘Extremely sophisticated fraud’ Superintendent Mary Skipper sent a letter to parents last week, informing them about the situation. According to Skipper, an adult woman used fake identification and paperwork to register and transfer schools using multiple false identities. The woman attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Brighton High School, and English High School in Jamaica Plain during the 2022-2023 school year. Skipper expressed her deep concern over the breach of trust and referred to the case as "extremely sophisticated fraud." Motive remains unclear The woman's motives for attending the high schools remain unclear, as the criminal complaint against Hewitt does not provide any information about her. As per media reports, the Boston Public Schools staff noticed irregularities in her paperwork, leading to the eventual discovery of the ‘fraud’. Police were involved, and a search warrant was executed at a residence in Jamaica Plain where Hewitt lived with two individuals posing as her parents. During the search, officers found forged documents from Lowell Juvenile Court and the Department of Children and Families, containing custody information for individuals referred to as DBH and EAH. Watch: US loses $200bn in COVID-19 loan fraud × Hewitt used the name "Daniella" at Burke High School and "Ellie" at English High School. The incident has caused great concern and unease among students, parents, and city leaders, as reported by local media. Boston mayor ‘disturbed’ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared on WBUR's "Radio Boston" and expressed her dismay at the situation, highlighting the general sense of shock and frustration within the community. Also read: Fraudsters make off with $200 billion from Covid Relief Programs, says US watchdog She said, “It’s extremely disturbing, right? If someone told me that an adult many decades removed from being in some of these age-appropriate settings was back in school — it’s concerning.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Boston woman charged with fraud for masquerading as student and attending three high schools

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US: Federal prison for ex-Army worker who embezzled $109mn from military child grant programme

Boston woman charged with fraud for masquerading as student and attending three high schools