Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A former executive director of a Toledo nonprofit organization has been sentenced to two years in prison for embezzling funds and using them for personal gambling expenses.
Sabina Serratos, 55, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick after pleading guilty to two counts of program fraud. In addition to her prison term, Serratos was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $534,539.98 in restitution. The sentencing took place on July 28, 2025.
Court documents state that Serratos used her position as executive director at Adelante, Inc., a nonprofit serving the Hispanic community in Toledo, to access the organization's bank accounts. These accounts held funds from federal grant awards intended for community assistance programs.
Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021, Serratos withdrew nearly $400,000 in cash from the Hollywood Casino in Toledo for her own use.
The FBI Toledo Field Office conducted the investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford prosecuted it on behalf of the Northern District of Ohio.
To report fraud or submit a complaint about suspected criminal activity involving federal programs or grants, individuals can visit https://www.justice.gov/action-center/report-crime-or-submit-complaint.
"Sabina Serratos, 55, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick after pleading guilty in March to two counts of program fraud. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $534,539.98 in restitution. Judge Helmick imposed the sentence July 28, 2025."
"According to court documents, she used her role at a nonprofit agency to use its funds for her personal benefit. Serratos served as the executive director of Adelante, Inc., a local nonprofit agency which provided resources and assistance to the Hispanic community in the Toledo area. As the director, she was provided access to the nonprofit’s bank accounts which were used to receive funding from federal grant awards."
"From July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021, Serratos withdrew nearly $400,000 in cash from the Hollywood Casino in Toledo for her personal benefit."
"The investigation was conducted by the FBI Toledo Field Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio."
"To report fraud, visit justice.gov/action-center/report-crime-or-submit-complaint."
