A Michigan district court has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, founder of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a $1.4 million fraud scheme that diverted funds intended for vulnerable preschool children.
A United States district court has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, the former executive director of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in prison for “orchestrating a fraud scheme that stole $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor money intended for vulnerable preschool children.” District Judge Hala Jarbou delivered the sentence, characterizing Ezeh—who is also an associate professor of education—as a “a fraud and a thief” who engaged in a “brazen and widespread” conspiracy. The court also imposed a concurrent 60-month sentence for income tax evasion, following Ezeh’s guilty plea in December 2025 to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion.
The fraudulent activity, which spanned from 2017 through 2023, involved Ezeh conspiring with Sharon Killebrew and others to divert $1,400,000 from the non-profit organization. ELNC was established to provide essential services, including meals, transportation, and advocacy, to underserved children using funds from private donors and the US Departments of Health and Education. As part of the final judgment, Ezeh has been ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the victims of the fraud and an additional $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to cover unpaid taxes on the illicit gains.
The impact of the scheme extended beyond financial loss, leading to the total collapse of the charitable organization. According to a statement released by the US government, ELNC was forced to close its doors in 2023 because of the fraud, resulting in many West Michigan preschools losing critical funding. Judge Jarbou emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting that the stolen resources were meant for the “most vulnerable children” in the community who have now lost access to valuable educational and nutritional support.
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