The former chief operating officer of a Philadelphia
nonprofit was charged today with running up a tab of nearly $200,000 for
personal expenses on her organization's credit card.
Erica N. Brown, was the COO at SELF Inc., a provider of
shelter and drug-recovery services to the homeless. Before she was fired in
November 2010, Brown used the organization to richly reward herself, according
to a federal indictment charging her with theft of federal funds.
SELF received federal funds from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. The organization received $1.2 million in federal
funds in 2011 and $1.1 million in 2010.
Between 2005 and 2010, Brown allegedly used her
organization-issued credit card to pay for personal trips to the Caribbean,
Orlando and Cape May. Using the card, she also bought five pairs of UGG boots,
a gym membership with a personal trainer, groceries, sandwiches from Wawa, and
extravagant meals at the Four Seasons, according to the indictment.
In addition, she used the card for vehicle rentals. One
of the rentals included a Hummer on Valentine’s Day for travel to Braddock’s
Tavern in Medford, N.J., where she also used the card to pay for dinner. Before
her termination, she reimbursed SELF about $5,000, according to the indictment.
Brown faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Office of Inspector
General.
Source: Philly.com
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