CHICAGO — A pastor in Chicago has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for defrauding a food program for low-income children, according to The Christian Post.
Robbie Wilkerson, founding pastor of New Birth Christian Center church, admitted he submitted about $714,000 in false or fraudulent claims to the state board of education, more than $250,000 above the budgeted cost of the food program.
The church-run program provided meals to low-income students when schools weren’t in session. Wilkerson claimed it served 267,000 meals in 2010. In reality, it served fewer than 100,000.
Wilkerson and his wife, Tasha, have been ordered by the court to pay a total of nearly $481,000 in restitution. His wife also was handed a sentence of 12 months in prison.
Three other church leaders also pleaded guilt to one count each of theft of government funds, according to the Post. (TAB)
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