Former Director and Daughter Charged in Theft from Poverty Agency
Federal prosecutors say the former head of a poverty agency in Jefferson County and her daughter have agreed to plead guilty in a nearly $500,000 theft.
Authorities say 63-year-old Ruth Gayle Cunningham has agreed to repay $492,195 to the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, where she was director for more than 20 years before quitting in March. JCCEO is a community action agency that administers programs including Head Start, for low-income and disadvantaged residents.
Her 31-year-old daughter, Kelli E. Caufield, agreed to repay $253,499 to the agency.
Prosecutors said Friday the women have agreed to plead guilty to stealing money from a government program that receives federal assistance.
Authorities say Caufield prepared false invoices that her mother submitted to the agency to get money she wasn’t due.
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