10 indicted for theft of federal program funding from Tuskegee University

Ten people have been indicted for alleged theft of federal program funding from Tuskegee University, said an announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama on Monday. 

The ten accused in the crime are: 

Wanda Tyner Hairston, 51, from Auburn; Lora Regina Baker, 52, from Montgomery; Keyonn Dalarrion Cannon, 26, from Tuskegee, Lanequia Shanice Cooper, 29, also from Auburn; Ledaryl Tremayne Johnson, 27, from Tuskegee; Jeanette Moss-Smith, 50, also from Auburn; Cassandra Harris Parker, 61, also from Tuskegee; Phyllis Vanessa Tyner, 57, also from Auburn; Morris Gene Welch, another resident of Auburn; and Abraham Torbert Wright, Jr., 23, also from Tuskegee.

The indictment alleges that Parker, Baker, Moss-Smith, and Tyner Hairston had worked at Tuskegee University at the time when the crime reportedly began up until 2020. 

"As Purchasing Manager, Parker created purchase orders indicating money was owed to co-conspirators so that checks would be issued to them. Baker worked in the Accounts Payable Department and entered the check requests into the university’s accounting system, causing the checks to be issued," said the announcement.

"Moss-Smith signed the check request forms and Hairston assigned grant codes to the forms confirming sufficient funds existed to cover the checks. Once issued, Parker delivered the checks to the co-conspirators. The indictment alleges that Cannon, Cooper, Johnson, Tyner, Welch, and Wright, Jr., each cashed checks provided to them as part of the scheme."

The university receives in excess of $10,000 per year in federal funding. The ten are accused of conspiring to steal federal program funds through the wrongful issuance of the checks and Parker, Baker, Moss-Smith, and Hairston are charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

“The United States Attorney’s Office considers the theft of federal dollars to be a serious crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ross. “My office will continue to prosecute those who exploit federal programs and who exploit the institutions, like Tuskegee University, entrusted with using federal program funds for their intended purposes.”