Three Phoenix Residents Sentenced for Attempted Financial Aid Fraud of Over $5 Million

     PHOENIX – This week, Jacqueline Scroggins, 53, of Avondale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 37 months’ imprisonment, followed by 100 hours of community service. Scroggins had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud.  Co-defendants Amethyst Nicole Henderson, 30, of Phoenix, Ariz., previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and financial aid fraud and was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and 50 hours community service, and Jamar Britt, 36, of Phoenix, Ariz., also previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and 50 hours community service.  Restitution of $1,669,166 was ordered jointly as to all defendants.

     All defendants admitted to conspiring to commit mail and financial aid fraud to further a scheme to attempt to obtain approximately $5,295,116 in federally-insured student aid from the United States Department of Education and colleges within the Maricopa County Community College District.  As part of the scheme, they applied for aid in the names of approximately 483 people who did not plan to attend college and caused the payment of approximately $1,669,166 in student aid to the College District and the conspirators.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Education – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Frederick A. Battista, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-16-1461-PHX-DGC   

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-116_ Scroggins etal

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