Nonprofit director spent $10K on holiday party with money meant to feed kids, feds say
The former director of a Louisiana nonprofit is headed to prison after prosecutors say she stole funds meant to feed needy families and indulged herself instead.
A judge ordered Teressia Garner of Minden, Louisiana to serve 24 months followed by three years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Mississippi’s Southern District announced Monday, Nov. 29. The sentence comes after Garner, 60, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds in July.
She’s also ordered to pay $244,060.09 in restitution.
Garner was director of Safe Haven Development, Inc. when prosecutors said she misappropriated money the nonprofit received as part of federal Child Nutrition Programs. The funding, which Safe Haven received from 2011 to 2015, was intended to provide meals to kids and families at participating child and adult care centers.
Instead, Garner splurged on personal expenses, including restaurants and hotel stays, according to a news release.
She even threw a holiday party for Safe Haven staff in 2015, replete with a ballroom, catered food and an open bar totaling $9,578.48 — which she paid for using program funds deposited in the nonprofit’s bank account, authorities said.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Ms. Teressia Garner who brazenly steal from children in need will be held accountable,” FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. who aided in the investigation, said in a statement.
“Ms. Garner, out of personal greed, committed fraud against the USDA Summer Foods Service Program which is designed to provide children in low-income areas nutritious meals during the summer when school is not in session,” Williams added.
Minden is about 30 miles east of Shreveport.
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