April 29, 2015

Non-Profit’s Executive Director Charged in Alleged Fraud Scheme

PHILADELPHIA—Rodnell Griffin, 67, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the non-profit organization where she worked, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Griffin was the executive director of a non-profit organization in Philadelphia.

According to the indictment, Griffin withdrew more than $85,000 from the organization’s bank accounts, between January 2007 and October 2013, and used the cash for personal expenses. Griffin allegedly obtained automated teller machine cards for some of the non-profit organization’s bank accounts. Her alleged use of the cards also caused the non-profit organization to incur more than $5,300 in bank fees and charges.

If convicted, Griffin faces a possible advisory guideline sentencing range of 30 to 37 months in prison, a three-year period of supervised release, restitution to the organization, and a $1,000 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.