A Nigerian-born academic and former nonprofit executive, Dr. Nkechy Ezeh, has been sentenced to 70 months in a United States federal prison for masterminding a $1.4 million fraud scheme involving funds meant for vulnerable preschool children.
The sentence was handed down by Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, who also imposed an additional concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
Ezeh was ordered to repay the stolen $1.4 million alongside $390,174 owed to the Internal Revenue Service.
Ezeh, 61, founded and led the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit organisation in West Michigan focused on supporting early childhood education in underserved communities.
She also previously worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Early Childhood Education Program at Aquinas College.
According to prosecutors, Ezeh diverted public and donor funds for personal luxury spending, including trips to Hawaii, Europe and Africa, as well as expenses tied to a family wedding.
Investigators also revealed that some of her relatives were placed on a “ghost payroll,” collecting large sums despite doing little or no work.
Authorities further accused her of moving stolen funds through intermediaries to family members in Nigeria.
During sentencing, Judge Jarbou described the fraud as “brazen and widespread,” calling Ezeh “a fraud and a thief.” She was immediately taken into federal custody after the ruling.
US Attorney Timothy VerHey said the stolen funds were originally intended to support children and struggling families across West Michigan.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said. “Instead of helping children, she used the money for herself.”
The fraud also led to the collapse of the nonprofit in 2023, forcing several preschools to lose funding and leaving about 35 employees without jobs.
A former bookkeeper at the organisation, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months in prison for her involvement in the scheme.
The case was investigated by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alongside the IRS Criminal Investigation unit.
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