A United States district court in Michigan has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, a former executive director of Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a fraud scheme involving $1.4 million meant for vulnerable preschool children.
Delivering judgment, Judge Hala Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief” who carried out a “brazen and widespread” scheme that diverted funds intended for some of the most vulnerable children in West Michigan.
Ezeh, an associate professor of education and founder of ELNC, headed the non-profit organisation that received funding from the US departments of health and education, as well as private donors, to provide meals, transportation, advocacy, and educational support services to children in underserved communities.
According to a statement released by the US government, the court ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to victims of the fraud and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service over unpaid taxes.
The judge also imposed a concurrent 60-month prison sentence for tax evasion.
Ezeh had pleaded guilty in December 2025 to charges bordering on wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion.
Under the plea agreement, she admitted that between 2017 and 2023, she conspired with Sharon Killebrew and others to fraudulently obtain approximately $1.4 million from ELNC.
US authorities said the fraud ultimately forced the organisation to shut down operations in 2023, resulting in the loss of funding for several preschools across West Michigan and leaving many disadvantaged children without critical educational support.
The closure also reportedly led to the sudden dismissal of 35 employees.
Killebrew, ELNC’s former bookkeeper and co-defendant in the case, had earlier been sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in federal prison for her involvement in the scheme.
Reacting to the ruling, Timothy VerHey condemned Ezeh’s actions, saying funds intended to support low-income children were diverted for personal use.
“Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.
“She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself.
“The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families.
“Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate.”