Official accused of embezzling $156,823 (federal funds) from nonprofit group

AP | 12/05/02

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CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) -- A staff member with a nonprofit group that distributes federal funds to needy families has been accused of stealing $156,823 from the organization.

Edna Faye Evans, 39, of Absecon, was charged Wednesday with embezzling the money from Atlantic Human Resources, an Atlantic City-based group where she served as a program manager and an administrative assistant. The group works with the federal departments of Energy, Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development.

Prosecutors said the thefts, which occurred between 1995 and 2000, all involved amounts of less than $500. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Smith would not comment on how Evans used the money, but she was required to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings as a condition of her bail.

Evans was released on a personal recognizance bond signed by her father, and was told to remain in New Jersey. If convicted, Evans could face up to 10 years in prison and be fined $312,000, roughly twice the amount of money she was accused of taking.

The indictment claims Evans used the names and personal information of past applicants and fictitious persons to prepare applications for financial assistance. She then processed the applications and issued checks that she kept.

Evans would then made identification badges, substitute her own photograph, and cash the checks at check-cashing agencies and banks, according to the indictment said. She later destroyed the false applications and badges.

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