LITTLE ROCK-Patrick C. Harris, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced Thursday that United States District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr., sentenced Francine Leon, 49, of Wheatley, to prison for her role in a scheme to steal money intended for feeding children in low income areas.
Judge Moody sentenced Leon, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud on Feb. 25, 2016, to 34 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,003,630.00.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) feeding programs in Arkansas are administered through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Sponsors who want to participate in the feeding programs must submit an application to DHS for approval. After they are approved, they can provide meals as part of the feeding programs, and they are reimbursed for the eligible meals they serve.
Leon is the tenth defendant to be sentenced for her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain USDA program funds intended to feed children in low income areas. Other defendants sentenced include: Kattie Jordan, 63 months’ imprisonment on March 15, 2016; Reuben Nims, 21 months’ imprisonment on Nov. 2, 2016; Tonique Hatton, 108 months’ imprisonment on January 4, 2017; James Franklin, 24 months’ imprisonment on Jan. 10, 2017; Maria Nelson, 30 months’ imprisonment on Jan. 31, 2017; Michael Lee, 30 months’ imprisonment on May 1, 2017; Christopher Nichols, 3 years’ probation on May 16, 2017; Alexis Young, 18 months’ imprisonment on Aug. 18, 2017; and Erica Warren, 18 months’ imprisonment on Aug. 18, 2017.
Waymon Weeams and Dortha Harper have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud USDA feeding programs and are awaiting sentencing. Jacqueline Mills and Anthony Waits were convicted on April 6, 2017, following a jury trial and are also awaiting sentencing.
Leon operated as a sponsor for a feeding program through an organization called "Brighter Kids, Brighter Futures." At times during the period charged in the Information, Leon had approved sites in Cotton Plant, Wheatley, Poplar Grove, Morrilton, Brinkley and West Helena. In the 2012, 2013, and 2014 contract years, claims, which had inflated numbers of children fed, were submitted to DHS for reimbursement. Leon received a total of approximately $1,003,630. Leon withdrew approximately $534,710 in cash and paid a portion to two DHS employees.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the USDA-Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. If you are aware of any fraudulent activity regarding feeding programs, please email that information to USAARE.FeedingProgramFraud@usdoj.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
