Con Artist’ Allegedly Swindles $100M from Army for Luxuries
OAN’s Abril Elfi
3:12 PM – Thursday, January 11, 2024
A woman in Texas has been accused of stealing over $100 million in funds from the United States Army and using the money to buy luxurious personal items.
According to a Wednesday press release that was posted by the Department of Justice, 57-year-old Janet Yamanaka Mello now faces more than 140 years in prison. Mello previously created a phony business called “Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development” in order to illegally save funds that she had stolen from the Army.
“Mello [allegedly] stole more than $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent paperwork that indicated an entity she controlled was entitled to receive funds from the Army,” they stated.
Mello created her fraudulent business Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD) in 2016 and claimed that it provided services to military members and their families through the 4-H program.
According to reports, the 4-H Military program “focuses on positive youth development through providing opportunities for youth to engage in intentional learning experiences.”
However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) flagged Mello’s company when she included it on her personal tax returns in 2017, reporting a $483 profit on a $2,152 revenue. Since 2017, she had not filed any taxes for CHYLD.
Mello had purchased 31 different real estate properties in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
One of her purchases was an eight-bedroom, twelve-bath mansion in Preston, Maryland, with 55 garage spaces on 58 acres, and it was appraised at $3.1 million, according to the outlet.
Another one of her costly purchases involved a $2.3 million home with four bedrooms, six bathrooms, and 35 acres in Castle Rock, Colorado.
In addition to the quantity of real estate Mello was acquiring, she also reportedly bought 78 cars, which included a 1955 Ferrari Fratelli 165 Racer, sixteen Harley-Davidsons, five Triumphs, four Ducatis, two BMWs, a 2018 Maserati GranTurismo, a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1966 Ford Mustang, five Mercedes-Benzes, and two Aston Martins.
According to authorities, they have also taken over six different bank accounts connected to Mello that were holding $18 million altogether.
In December, Mello was arrested and charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Mello was later released without being granted bail, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas is currently awaiting word on whether she will accept a plea bargain by January 19th or proceed with a jury trial and selection on February 12th.
If Mello is found guilty, she faces up to 142 years in prison.
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What actions need to be taken by government agencies to prevent and detect fraudulent activities like Mello’s in the future
Years in prison for her crimes. The case highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of government funds and the severe consequences for those who attempt to defraud the system.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, a 57-year-old woman from Texas, is accused of stealing over $100 million from the United States Army and using the money to finance her lavish lifestyle. The Department of Justice has issued a press release detailing the allegations against her.
According to the press release, Mello allegedly created a phony business called ”Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development” in order to embezzle funds from the Army. She regularly submitted fraudulent paperwork indicating that her company was entitled to receive funds from the Army. This scheme allowed her to steal millions of dollars over a period of time.
Mello’s fraudulent activities were discovered when she included her company on her personal tax returns in 2017, reporting a suspiciously low profit. The IRS flagged her company, and it was revealed that she had not filed any taxes for CHYLD since 2017.
Mello used the stolen money to make extravagant purchases. She acquired 31 real estate properties in various states, including an eight-bedroom mansion in Maryland and a luxury home in Colorado. She also bought 78 cars, including rare and expensive models such as a 1955 Ferrari and multiple Harley-Davidsons.
Authorities have seized six bank accounts connected to Mello, containing a total of $18 million. Mello was arrested in December and charged with mail fraud, engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived proceeds, and aggravated identity theft.
Mello’s trial is pending, and she has the option to accept a plea bargain or proceed with a jury trial. If found guilty, she could face up to 142 years in prison for her crimes.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding government funds and the severe penalties for those who attempt to defraud the system. It is crucial for organizations to have robust financial controls and oversight to prevent such misappropriation of funds.
The United States Army and other government agencies must continue to be vigilant in ensuring the integrity of their financial systems and taking swift action against those who try to exploit them. Cases like this highlight the need for continuous monitoring and enforcement to protect taxpayer dollars.
Ultimately, justice must prevail, and if Janet Yamanaka Mello is found guilty, she must be held accountable for her actions. The legal proceedings in this case will determine the outcome, and the severity of the charges reflects the gravity of the alleged crimes committed.
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