U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that Tamiko Parker, 47, of Cleveland was sentenced by Judge Dan Aaron Polster to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay $164,120.30 in restitution after Parker pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
“This defendant was put in a position of public trust, charged with helping to lead a neighborhood to further prosperity,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Instead of using her position for the public good, this defendant chose to enrich herself with public dollars and spend lavishly on trips and home furnishings. Public officials, contractors, or anyone else who misuses or improperly handless public funds can expect to find themselves in a similar position, that is to say, facing federal prison time.”
"Ms. Parker will now spend time behind bars for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars planned for economic development in the community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. "Ms. Parker has been held accountable for her criminal avarice and greed. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out public corruption at all levels."
“This sentencing represents our continuing resolve to root out fraud and corruption in all forms, particularly when the programs involved should have been used to help our neediest families,” said HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge Brad Geary. “It is our continuing core mission to work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to protect the integrity of our housing programs and to take strong action against those who seek to illegally benefit from them.”
“These stolen funds were designated to improve and assist the Collinwood community,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “She’s a serial thief who deserves every day of her 33-month sentence.”
According to court documents, from 2014 to 2016, Parker served as executive director of Collinwood and Nottingham Villages Development Corporation (CNVDC), a nonprofit that acquires, develops and leases property on the northeast side of Cleveland. In her role as executive director, Parker had access to CNVDC’s bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, statements, and checks. Parker misused various accounts through a variety of schemes, including making unauthorized cash withdrawals, having checks issued to her and using debit and credit cards to pay her expenses.
Court documents show that Parker used CNVDC’s debit card to make purchases at Harley Davidson, the Horseshoe Casino, Victoria’s Secret and in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. In addition, Parker used CNVDC’s credit card to purchase appliances at Home Depot for her home. Parker used CNVDC’s checking account to purchase an automobile in Michigan for $19,080. Parker also collected cash rental payments from tenants of the nonprofit and deposited the cash into her personal bank account.
As a result of Parker’s activity, CNVDC suffered a loss of $195,087.61.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development -- Office of Inspector General and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen E. Henderson.