Cymone McClellan, a St. Louis nonprofit executive, was sentenced on April 23 to 41 months in prison after admitting to a scheme that defrauded federal funds intended for feeding children in Missouri.
The case highlights the impact of fraud on programs designed to support vulnerable populations and underscores efforts by authorities to protect taxpayer dollars and public trust.
U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel ordered McClellan, age 33, to forfeit vehicles and real estate purchased with the stolen funds and repay the remaining money obtained through fraudulent claims. McClellan operated Sister of Lavender Rose (S.O.L.R.), which submitted false meal reimbursement requests from January 2019 through June 2022, claiming to have served nearly four times as many meals as were actually provided. Her second-in-command, Terra Davis, aided in the scheme and received five years of probation along with an order to repay $2.3 million after pleading guilty.
A sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman stated: “These lies demonstrate that Defendant McClellan made a calculated effort from the beginning of her participation in the state’s meal program to enrich herself at the expense of hungry children in our community.” The investigation found that McClellan used approximately $135,000 from student meal funds on five vehicles and spent more than $146,000 as down payments on two homes.
Authorities said that fraudulent activity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic when regular audits were suspended and non-profits could run drive-thru services. U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus said: “Cymone McClellan caused lasting damage to the program meant to feed hungry Missouri children, not only by stealing $2.3 million that should have gone to student meals but by diminishing public support and increasing cynicism through her corruption.” Inspector General John Walk for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General called such fraud “particularly egregious” and commended law enforcement partners for holding those responsible accountable.
Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division said: “For the second time in as many months, we are holding accountable individuals who exploited programs meant to feed children for their own personal gain.”
The case was investigated by both the FBI and U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman.
According to its official website, The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri advances community well-being by working with entities to prevent crime and improve quality of life; it also investigates and prosecutes federal crimes such as terrorism or fraud while enforcing civil rights across its service area covering 49 counties using facilities like Thomas F. Eagleton U.S Courthouse in St Louis under direction from United States Department Of Justice.
