Charity boss blew $11M meant for needy kids on luxe goods: feds
Connie Bobo, the former head of the New Heights Community Resource Center in Bridgeton, Missouri, has been accused of embezzling nearly $11 million intended for low-income children in need of food assistance. According to prosecutors, Bobo misused the funds by splurging on luxury items such as mansions and a bright yellow Mercedes for her boyfriend, instead of using the money to feed the children as intended.
During her trial, prosecutors revealed that Bobo had claimed to have spent $20 million on feeding the children between February 2019 and March 2022. However, it was discovered that she had only used a fraction of the allocated funds for food, while the rest went towards purchasing real estate and luxury goods. Bobo allegedly spent $2.2 million on a commercial real estate investment and gave her boyfriend, Howard Hughes III, $1.4 million.
In total, Bobo acquired seven properties, including a $1 million mansion in St. Charles for herself. She also gifted her boyfriend a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon 4X4 Squared, worth approximately $212,000. To cover her tracks, Bobo listed her family members and friends as board members of the non-profit organization without their knowledge.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, Bobo’s lawyer argued that she did not intend to violate federal rules and had tried to rectify the situation before her arrest. The defense claimed that Bobo’s actions were in the best interest of the community and an attempt to give back.
Bobo has been charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction for falsifying food vendor invoices during a grand jury investigation. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable organizations that are entrusted with public funds meant to serve vulnerable populations.
