CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former finance manager of a nonprofit organization that assists West Virginia disaster victims was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in prison for the theft of $871,000 from the group.
Benjamin Cisco, 31, of Charleston was sentenced in federal court for his May 2023 guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud. He was ordered to pay full restitution.
Cisco was a finance and operations manager for the state chapter of the Arlington, Virginia-based Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD.
Court records showed Cisco transferred money from the nonprofit’s accounts more than 100 times for his personal use and claimed travel reimbursements he wasn’t authorized to receive.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said Cisco’s actions “personified greed.” Thompson said Cisco used the charity’s money on vacations to Disney World, gift cards to home improvement stores and household items.
Among its work, VOAD’s state chapter was heavily involved in rebuilding bridges and homes after 2016 floods decimated parts of the state and left 23 people dead.
State lawmakers recently requested an audit of the group, which has received more than $27 million in funding since 2016.
2025-01-19 10:251670 view
2025-01-19 10:04445 view
2025-01-19 09:30214 view
2025-01-19 08:272526 view
2025-01-19 08:261434 view
2025-01-19 08:102302 view
Chris Evans is ready to captain a team of his own.One year after exchanging vows with wife Alba Bapt
The products featured in this article are from brands that are available in the NBCUniversal Checkou
The UFL's Arlington Renegades could potentially have a Stoops reunion during the 2025 season.The Ren