Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
Priscilla Orange, 67, of Oklahoma City, has been convicted on charges related to obstructing a federal audit and embezzling funds intended for childcare programs. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Orange, the owner and operator of Rainbow Connection Child Care & Learning Center, which operates multiple locations in the Western District of Oklahoma, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on April 16, 2025. On September 10, following a two-day trial, she was found guilty on all counts: obstruction of a federal audit and two counts of federal program theft.
According to evidence presented at trial, the Oklahoma Department of Education conducted an audit in 2021 into reimbursements provided to Rainbow Connection by the Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides funding for meals and snacks for low-income children at participating centers. Since at least 2013, Rainbow Connection had received about $1.55 million from CACFP.
The purpose of the 2021 audit was to verify that Orange had served as many meals and snacks as claimed in reimbursement requests. Testimony indicated that Orange attempted to obstruct this process by submitting false food-related expenses to state officials.
Further evidence showed that Orange applied for and received nearly $500,000 in childcare stabilization grants (CCSGs), funds allocated by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic for approved business expenses at childcare centers. Instead of using these funds appropriately, Orange used Rainbow Connection accounts to gamble at local casinos and diverted significant amounts for personal use.
At sentencing, Orange faces up to 25 years in federal prison along with potential fines totaling up to $750,000.
The investigation involved both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys D.H. Dilbeck and Jackson D. Eldridge are prosecuting the case.
"This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," according to the release.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
