According to authorities, an Army worker who was accused of funding her luxurious life by stealing more than$ 108 million from a grant program for military people was given a jail sentence.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was  , sentenced to 15 years in prison , on five counts of mail fraud and five counts of filing a false tax return, according to a , July 23 , news release from the , U. S.  , Attorney ‘s , Office for the Western District of Texas.
” I hope that we were able to communicate the level of grief that , Ms. Mello , has for her steps”, Mello’s lawyer,  , Albert Flores, told , McClatchy News , in a speech on , July 24.
” As she stated at punishment, she is embarrassed and ashamed at what she has done. We have collaborated with the state since our initial contact with law enforcement to try to find and retrieve as many of the resources as possible. I think that the government may eventually get back a significant portion of what was taken,” Flores continued.
” Having said that, we are disappointed with the statement. We did not anticipate her leaving with no consequence, but Flores said that the current statement, given the circumstances and her age, was” somewhat excessive.”
In Mello’s function as a financial system administrator at Fort , Sam Houston, her main duty was to identify whether , 4-H Military Partnership , funding was accessible to entities that applied for a grant, according to a sentencing memorandum.
Mello formed a fraudulent company called , Child Health , and , Youth Lifelong Development, or CHYLD, and used that organization to unlawfully secure , 4-H , revenue, according to judge information.
When she received a grant search, she had deposit it into her bank accounts and spend it on cash, jewellery, vehicles and real property, officials said.
Mello did this 49 times between 2016 and 2023, receiving a total of$ 108, 917, 749, according to officials.
” Rather than$ 109 million in federal funds going to the care of military children throughout the world, she selfishly stole that money to buy extravagant houses, more than 80 vehicles and over 1, 500 pieces of jewelry”, the , U. S.  , Attorney’s Office said.
On a single day in 2022, Mello spent$ 923, 000 on jewellery, according to court documents.
Mello and her husband bought at least 31 pieces of real estate across the county, estimated to be worth$ 23 million, court records show.
According to authorities, her “penchant for excess is what brought her down,” and they were able to determine that her documented income was” also below” the life she led.
According to authorities, Mello omitted millions of dollars in revenue from her five years of tax filing.
Fort , Sam Houston , is located in , San Antonio.
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