A Finance Director's Betrayal: How Trust Was Broken and a Preschool Agency Closed
Sharon Killebrew, 70, a former finance director at a non-profit organization, has been sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison for her role in a scheme that led to the closure of an agency supporting preschool children.
The Fraud and Its Impact
Killebrew was found guilty of embezzling over $1.1 million from the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), an agency providing essential early education services to disadvantaged communities. The agency shut its doors in 2023 due to the financial fraud.
The judge emphasized that Killebrew's actions harmed vulnerable children and betrayed the trust placed in her. The fraud involved:
- Creating fake invoices
- Manipulating financial statements
- Misusing credit cards
The Consequences
The ELNC board expressed relief that justice was served but lamented the devastating impact on families and employees. The agency's closure left:
- 35 people without jobs
- Hundreds of children without early education programs
The board highlighted that ELNC filled a critical gap in early childhood education, especially for minority children in underserved communities.
The Defense and Prosecution
Killebrew's defense argued that the agency's founder, Nkechy Ekere Ezeh, played a more significant role in the fraud. However, Ezeh has not faced criminal charges. The defense also presented letters from Killebrew's family and friends, describing her as a caring individual who had helped others throughout her life.
Prosecutors emphasized that the most significant victims were the young children who lost access to essential education services. They described Killebrew's actions as a betrayal of trust and a significant blow to the community.
The Whistleblower and Financial Oversight
The ELNC board revealed that the fraud might have continued if not for an internal whistleblower. The agency's president, Amy DeLeeuw, detailed how Killebrew's actions led to the collapse of the organization. DeLeeuw also mentioned that Killebrew's fraudulent activities went unnoticed for years due to her manipulation of financial records and the hiring of underqualified staff.
The Importance of Financial Oversight
The case highlights the importance of financial oversight and the devastating consequences of fraud, especially in non-profit organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The closure of ELNC has left a significant void in early childhood education for many families in Michigan.
