A United States District Court in Michigan has sentenced Nigerian-born academic, Nkechy Ezeh, to 70 months imprisonment for masterminding a fraud scheme that diverted $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor funds meant to support vulnerable preschool children.
Delivering judgment, District Judge Hala Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” condemning what she called a “brazen and widespread” scheme that stole money intended for some of the most vulnerable children in West Michigan.
Ezeh, an associate professor of education and founder of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), led the non-profit organisation which received funding from the US Departments of Health and Education, alongside private donors.
The organisation was established to provide meals, transport, funding support, advocacy, and other essential services to children in underserved communities.
According to a statement from US authorities, the court also ordered Ezeh to repay $1.4 million in restitution to victims of the fraud, in addition to $390,174 owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
She was further handed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.
Ezeh had pleaded guilty in December 2025 to charges bordering on wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion.
Court documents revealed that between 2017 and 2023, she conspired with Sharon Killebrew and others to fraudulently obtain $1.4 million from ELNC.
Authorities said the fraud led to the closure of the organisation in 2023, causing several preschool centres across West Michigan to lose funding while needy children were deprived of vital support services.
The collapse of the organisation also resulted in the sudden dismissal of 35 employees.
Killebrew, ELNC’s former bookkeeper and Ezeh’s co-conspirator, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in federal prison for her involvement in the scheme.
Reacting to the judgment, Timothy VerHey, US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said Ezeh used funds meant for disadvantaged children for personal gain.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.
“She stole taxpayer and private donor funds intended for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping children, she spent the money on herself.
“That stolen money could have supported hundreds of children and their families.
“Judge Jarbou’s sentence was entirely appropriate.”
