Man lavishly spent $900,000 intended to help feed hungry Pennsylvanians

(WHTM) — A New York man was sentenced to 41 months in prison after spending nearly $900,000 in federal funds distributed by Pennsylvania meant to feed qualifying children and adaults for his personal use.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Darrell Devonish, 53, of New York, New York, was sentenced to prison for wire fraud and money laundering.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Devonish’s non-profit Rebuilding Better Communities received $1,074,328.45 in federal funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Devonish spent nearly $900,000 of funds on himself.

The money from the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program was meant to provide meals to Pennsylvanians in need.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Devonish used funds to buy $175,000 worth of jewelry, $45,000 to finance a Mercedes and a Jeep Wrangler, $75,000 on clothing, $12,000 on liquor, $100,000 on travel and entertainment, and $220,000 in cash withdrawals.

“The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program
(SFSP) were created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance. Those
who are involved in fraud and abuse of USDA feeding programs will be investigated by our
office to protect the integrity of these programs,” said USDA Office of Inspector General,
Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker.

The attorney’s office said Devonish will pay $883,518.33 in restitution.