U.S. Court Jails Former ELNC Director Nkechy Ezeh for 70 Months Over $1.4m Child-Focused Fraud Scheme

A United States District Court in Michigan has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, former executive director of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a multi-year fraud scheme that diverted about $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor funds meant to support vulnerable preschool children.

The sentencing, delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou in the Western District of Michigan, also included a concurrent 60-month term for tax evasion. Ezeh was ordered to pay full restitution of $1.4 million, alongside additional payments of about $390,000 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

According to U.S. Department of Justice findings, Ezeh—who founded ELNC and once served as a respected education figure—was responsible for a “brazen and widespread” scheme that exploited funds originally intended for early childhood development programs targeting low-income families. Prosecutors said the stolen money was misused over several years, contributing to the collapse of ELNC in 2023.

ELNC had been funded by a combination of U.S. federal programmes, including early childhood education grants, and private philanthropic donors. It provided meals, transport, and learning support services for preschool children in underserved communities across Michigan. Following the financial scandal, the organisation shut down, leaving dozens of employees jobless and disrupting services for hundreds of children.

Court documents and sentencing statements also revealed that Ezeh’s scheme involved the use of associates and affiliated entities to divert funds, as well as the creation of improper financial channels to conceal the movement of money. Prosecutors said the funds were partly used for personal expenses, including travel and family-related costs, rather than the intended educational programmes.

Federal investigators described the case as a serious breach of public trust, noting that the victims were primarily low-income families and preschool-aged children who depended on ELNC-supported services for early education access.

The court also highlighted the role of Ezeh’s co-conspirator, former ELNC bookkeeper Sharon Killebrew, who previously received a separate prison sentence for her involvement in the scheme.

With the ruling, U.S. authorities said the case underscores ongoing efforts to protect public education grants and donor-funded programmes from fraud and misuse.

Ezeh has been taken into custody and will begin serving her sentence immediately.