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Janet Yamanaka Mello, a former Army civilian employee, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for stealing nearly $109 million from a grant program intended to provide services for military children and families. Mello, who worked in San Antonio, Texas, used a fraudulent business to obtain grant funds and spent the money on personal items like jewelry, luxury vehicles, and real estate. She pleaded guilty to mail fraud and filing false tax returns in March.

Mello manipulated the grant program by submitting false paperwork indicating her business was approved to receive funds. She repeated this process 49 times over a six-year period, requesting over $117 million in payments, of which she received nearly $109 million. She also failed to accurately report her income for several years, omitting the millions she received through her illegal scheme.

The theft was discovered by authorities who noted discrepancies in Mello’s reported income and her lavish spending. The IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of the Army worked together to uncover the extent of Mello’s crimes and hold her accountable. Officials stated that financial crimes like this have victims and can impact military families and children. The case highlights the importance of ensuring the integrity of government programs and holding individuals accountable for illegal activities that defraud taxpayers.

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