Nigerian scholar Nkechy Ezeh has been sentenced to 70 months in U.S. federal prison for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that stole $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor funds meant for vulnerable preschool children in West Michigan. The 61-year-old professor, who founded the nonprofit Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), was also given a concurrent 60-month sentence for evading income taxes. U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey announced the sentencing on Wednesday, emphasizing that Ezeh misused public and private funds intended to support low-income children and their families. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou described the fraud as “brazen and widespread,” calling Ezeh a “fraud and a thief” who betrayed the trust of donors and the community.
Ezeh, a tenured professor of education and former appointee to Michigan’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee, established ELNC, a nonprofit funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Early Head Start program, the U.S. Department of Education, and major private charities. The organization provided essential services like meals, transportation, advocacy, and funding to preschools in underserved communities. However, investigators found that Ezeh diverted millions of dollars meant for children to personal use, including funding a family member’s wedding, luxury travel to Hawaii, Europe, and Africa, and wiring money to relatives in Nigeria through money mules.
The judge ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the victims of the fraud and an additional $390,174 to the IRS. She was also remanded directly to prison to begin serving her sentence immediately. The fraud led to the closure of ELNC in 2023, resulting in the loss of funding for numerous preschools and the sudden layoff of 35 employees without notice. The impact was most severe on children under five, 72% of whom lived below the federal poverty line in Kent County, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek—areas already struggling with economic hardship.
Sharon Killebrew, ELNC’s former bookkeeper and co-conspirator, was sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme. Special Agent Thomas Ethridge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General stressed that the case highlights the serious consequences of misusing federal grant funds. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the integrity of HHS programs and holding violators accountable. The sentencing memorandum revealed that while the direct victims were federal agencies and major charities, the true harm was felt by children and families who lost vital support services. Ezeh’s actions have left a lasting impact on early childhood education in West Michigan, and her conviction sends a strong message about accountability in public and private funding.
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