A New York City man was sentenced to prison after spending nearly $900,000 meant to help feed Pennsylvanians in need to instead fund his “lavish lifestyle,” according to the Department of Justice.
Darrell Devonish, 53, was sentenced on May 8 to 41 months in jail for wire fraud and money laundering.
According to acting US Attorney John C. Gurganus, Devonish and his nonprofit company, Rebuilding Better Communities, received $1,074,328.45 in federal feeding program funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Between February 2017 and August 2019, Devonish spent approximately $900,000 on personal purchases rather than providing food to qualified Pennsylvanians.
Of the nearly $900,000 he misused, he spent more than $175,000 on jewelry, more than $45,000 to buy and pay for two vehicles, more than $75,000 on clothing and cosmetics, more than $12,000 on liquor purchases, more than $100,000 on entertainment and travel, and more than $220,000 in cash withdrawn from ATMs.
“The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) were created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance. Those who are involved in fraud and abuse of USDA feeding programs will be investigated by our office to protect the integrity of these programs,” said USDA Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker in a news release.
In addition to his prison sentence, Devonish was forced to pay $883,518.33 in restitution.
