New York Man Sentenced To 41 Months’ Imprisonment For Wire Fraud And Money Laundering In Connection With Embezzling More Than $883,000 In Federal Feeding Program Funds

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darrell Devonish, age 53, of New York City, New York, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, to 41 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for wire fraud and money laundering, arising from Devonish’s diversion of federal funds meant to feed qualifying children and adults to fuel his lavish lifestyle between 2017 and 2019. 

According Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, between February 2017 and August 2019, Devonish’s non-profit company, Rebuilding Better Communities, sought and received $1,074,328.45 in federal feeding program funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, of which Devonish converted nearly $900,000 for his personal use, including more than $175,000 in jewelry purchases; more than $45,000 in payments toward the purchase and financing of a 2015 Mercedes S550 and 2018 Jeep Wrangler; more than $75,000 in clothing and cosmetics purchases; more than $12,000 in liquor purchases; more than $100,000 in entertainment, travel, and dining purchases, including international travel; and more than $220,000 in cash withdraws from ATMs.

“The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) were created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance. Those who are involved in fraud and abuse of USDA feeding programs will be investigated by our office to protect the integrity of these programs,” said USDA Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker.

Judge Wilson further ordered Devonish to pay restitution in the amount of $883,518.33. 

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Williams and Samuel S. Dalke.

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