Charges: Men stole up to $200k from Seattle’s caregiver program
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SEATTLE -- Two men, including a former employee of a local nonprofit agency, are accused of embezzling up to $200,000 from a city caregiver program.
Prosecutors have charged Gregory M. Townsend, 38, of Seattle with 23 counts of theft. His alleged accomplice, Arthur D. Wheeler, faces the same charges. Wheeler, 36, of Tukwila is accused of helping Townsend cash fraudulent checks.
A whistleblower's complaint prompted the investigation by the state auditor that uncovered the suspected wrongdoings.
According to the auditor's report, Townsend worked for a nonprofit agency contracted to run the city's Kinship and Family Caregiver Program, which provides aid to seniors caring for their grandchildren. The aid is given in various forms, including food, clothes, tutoring and up to $1,500 per year in cash.
Investigators allege Townsend, while working as a fund navigator, set up a fictitious vendor and made payments totaling $132,838 for services never rendered. He also spent another $95,977 in 221 additional transactions of questionable expenses, including repairs to his personal car, a trip to Las Vegas, gift cards, electronics and a massage.
Detectives said the suspects' credit reports revealed both men were in serious financial trouble. Townsend had 28 past-due accounts, one repossession and a possible foreclosure while Wheeler had 13 past due accounts.
Townsend has three prior convictions for negligent driving, two of which were reduced from driving under the influence.
Wheeler's criminal history includes convictions for possession of drugs, giving false information to a police officer, driving while license suspended and negligent driving. Both are due in court on Wednesday.
The city said its Human Services Department has restructured its funding, contracting and agency monitoring procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Prosecutors have charged Gregory M. Townsend, 38, of Seattle with 23 counts of theft. His alleged accomplice, Arthur D. Wheeler, faces the same charges. Wheeler, 36, of Tukwila is accused of helping Townsend cash fraudulent checks.
A whistleblower's complaint prompted the investigation by the state auditor that uncovered the suspected wrongdoings.
According to the auditor's report, Townsend worked for a nonprofit agency contracted to run the city's Kinship and Family Caregiver Program, which provides aid to seniors caring for their grandchildren. The aid is given in various forms, including food, clothes, tutoring and up to $1,500 per year in cash.
Investigators allege Townsend, while working as a fund navigator, set up a fictitious vendor and made payments totaling $132,838 for services never rendered. He also spent another $95,977 in 221 additional transactions of questionable expenses, including repairs to his personal car, a trip to Las Vegas, gift cards, electronics and a massage.
Detectives said the suspects' credit reports revealed both men were in serious financial trouble. Townsend had 28 past-due accounts, one repossession and a possible foreclosure while Wheeler had 13 past due accounts.
Townsend has three prior convictions for negligent driving, two of which were reduced from driving under the influence.
Wheeler's criminal history includes convictions for possession of drugs, giving false information to a police officer, driving while license suspended and negligent driving. Both are due in court on Wednesday.
The city said its Human Services Department has restructured its funding, contracting and agency monitoring procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
