Janet Yamanaka Mello, a former civilian employee for the Army, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $109 million from a grant program intended for military children and families. Mello used a fraudulent business to obtain grant funds, which she then spent on high-end items like jewelry, clothing, luxury vehicles, and real estate.
Mello orchestrated the scheme over a six-year period by submitting fraudulent paperwork to her supervisor for approval, which led to checks being sent to a UPS Store mailbox in San Antonio. She would deposit these checks into her bank account, amassing a total of $108,917,749 through 49 transactions. Mello also failed to report this income on her tax returns for several years.
Prosecutors emphasized that Mello’s actions betrayed the trust of the government and deprived military children and families of essential services. The case highlighted the impact of financial crimes on victims and the need for aggressive prosecution of individuals who exploit government programs for personal gain.
Officials involved in the investigation, including U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza, Department of the Army Special Agent Maria Thomas, and IRS Special Agent Lucy Tan, condemned Mello’s scheme, emphasizing its negative consequences for the military community. They underscored the importance of upholding the integrity of government programs and holding individuals accountable for fraud and corruption.
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