A Texas woman faces nearly 150 years in prison for allegedly defrauding the U.S. military of $100 million in a seven-year scheme and using the funds to buy more than 30 homes, luxury cars and jewelry. are doing.
Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, who worked as a civilian financial program manager at Fort Sam Houston, launched a business titled Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development in 2016 and received funding from the Army. He devised a plan to siphon off the funds for himself.
“Melo allegedly stole more than $100 million in Army funds by regularly submitting fraudulent documents indicating that organizations she controlled were eligible to receive funds from the Army,” one source said. Ta. Press release from the Department of Justice.
The alleged fraudster began the scam in 2016 by setting up a fake business called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development (CHYLD). According to the San Antonio Express-News.
Mello claimed that his business serves military personnel and their families through the 4-H program, but instead he was simply funding his own lavish lifestyle.
The 4-H military program “focuses on the positive development of youth by providing opportunities for them to engage in intentional learning experiences.”
The outlet added that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) flagged Mello as a suspicious business in 2017 when he listed the business on his personal tax return and reported a profit of $483 on income of $2,152. Ta.
She has not filed a tax return for CHYLD since 2017.
Mello, who earned $129,996 in 2022, purchased 31 different properties in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.
The eight-bed, 12-bath mansion on 58 acres in Preston, Maryland, with 55 garage spaces, was valued at $3.1 million, the newspaper said.
Another property she added to her portfolio was a $2.3 million home with four bedrooms and six bathrooms on 35 acres in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Along with buying a huge amount of real estate, Melo also splurged and bought 78 cars.
She built a fleet of motorcycles that included 16 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, five Triumphs, four Ducatis, two BMWs, and a 1955 Ferrari Fratelli 165 racer.
She also allegedly purchased a 2018 Maserati GranTurismo, a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1966 Ford Mustang, five Mercedes-Benzes, and two Aston Martins. According to the messenger.
Authorities also seized more than $18 million in cash from six different accounts linked to Melo.
Mello was arrested in December and charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of financial transactions in excess of $10,000 using criminal proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
“The indictment also includes a notice of forfeiture of proceeds and property obtained as a result of Mr. Mello's alleged criminal conduct,” the Justice Department said.
She was released without bail, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas is awaiting a Jan. 19 deadline to decide whether Mello will take a plea deal or face jury selection and a Feb. 12 trial. ing.
If convicted, Mello could be sentenced to up to 142 years in prison.
