PENNSYLVANIA (WHP) — 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 May 8 to 41 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering.
According to acting United States 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.
Instead of using the funds to provide food to qualifying Pennsylvanians, Devonish spent nearly $900,000 on personal purchases between February of 2017 and August of 2019.
Of the nearly $900,000 misused, he spent more than $175,000 on jewelry purchases, more than $45,000 to purchase and make payments on two vehicles, over $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than $12,000 on liquor purchases, more than $100,000 on entertainment and travel, and more than $220,000 in cash was withdrawn from ATMS.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 ordered to pay $883,518.33 in restitution.