HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Logan Child Care and Resource Center and its chief executive officer, Tyron Ali (collectively referred to as “Logan"), have agreed to pay $63,167.50 to resolve allegations that Logan violated the Federal False Claims Act. The United States alleges that Logan failed to provide accurate numbers of meals provided by child and adult care facilities and administrative costs pursuant to the requirements of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (“CACFP").
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the settlement agreement resolves allegations that Logan, as a home care sponsor, failed to provide the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg with accurate meal counts from participating child and adult care facilities in the Philadelphia area from 2005 through 2007. Logan was required to submit the information via computer for reimbursement. It is alleged that the inaccurate reporting resulted in the United States paying Logan more than it was entitled to receive under the CACFP. Logan was located in Philadelphia. In 2009, Logan was permanently excluded from the CACFP.
The CACFP is a federally funded program providing aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons. Through CACFP, more than 3.3 million children and 120,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of the day care they receive. The CACFP is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the states. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Education administers the CACFP.
Logan and Ali did not reimburse the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the federal funds Logan and Ali allegedly received improperly. The failure to make repayment was reported to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2014.
The agreement is not an admission of liability by Logan and Ali. As a result of consideration by the government of the present ability of Logan and Ali to make payment, the agreement calls for monthly payments of $100. If Logan and Ali fail to make timely payments, the entire unpaid amount, plus interest will be due and payable immediately at the option of the United States. The agreement does not release Logan and Ali from any criminal liability or debarment by federal agencies.
The case was investigated by the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region. The case was litigated by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Judge.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
