Woman sentenced for embezzling money from nonprofit for cancer patients

CAROLYN NIGEL ARE UP NEXT. WYFF NEWS FOUR AT SIX STARTS RIGHT NOW. BREAKING NEWS. A DEATH INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AFTER A BODY WAS FOUND IN THE UPSTATE. WHAT WE KNOW FROM DEPUTIES TONIGHT. WE WERE HIT LAST WEEK WITH A VERY HARD BLOW. A THREE YEAR FEDERAL GRANT TERMINATED HALFWAY THROUGH. WE LEARNED HOW NEW DCI EXECUTIVE ORDERS PLAY A ROLE. TARIFFS AND OTHER ECONOMIC FACTORS ARE A TALKING POINT FOR AUTO INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THE UPSTATE. I’M RAY ARENA IN GREENVILLE WITH WHAT THEY SAY IS CAUSING SOME UNCERTAINTY DOWN TO AROUND 50 TONIGHT WITH BIG CHANGES MOVING OUR WAY TOMORROW. THAT INCLUDES A CHANCE FOR THUNDER. I’LL TIME IT OUT. WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW BREAKING NEWS OUT OF ANDERSON COUNTY, WHERE DEPUTIES AND DETECTIVES ARE INVESTIGATING AFTER A BODY WAS FOUND. THE CORONER IDENTIFIED THE BODY AS 31 YEAR OLD JIMMY ALLEN. RAIMI, WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE A LITTLE OVER A WEEK. ARE MYA PAYTON IS NOW LIVE WITH THE LATEST ON THIS MYA. YES, NIGEL AND CAROL. THAT’S RIGHT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT RAIMI HAS BEEN MISSING A LITTLE OVER THE OVER A WEEK NOW HERE ON BROWN ROAD. IT’S A QUIET SCENE, AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME. YOU CAN SEE THE HOME. NO MORE DEPUTIES ON SCENE. BUT EARLIER THERE WERE MANY, MANY, MANY OUT HERE DOING THEIR WORK. NOW, ANDERSON COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE SAYS RAIMI SUFFERED FROM MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS. THE CORONER SAYS INVESTIGATORS FROM GEORGIA AND SLED ARE INVOLVED, AND THAT INVESTIGATION IN GEORGIA LED THEM TO THIS HOME. THOSE DETAILS ARE STILL UNCLEAR. I SPOKE TO RAIMI’S WIFE, WHO STOOD BESIDE ME HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WATCHING ACROSS THE STREET AS INVESTIGATORS WORKED THE SCENE. SHE TOLD ME OVER AND OVER HOW SHE WAS WORRIED THAT IT WAS HER HUSBAND. LIKE HE TOLD ME HE WAS COMING TO ANDERSON TO DOORDASH. AND WHEN I TRIED TO, LIKE TYPICALLY WE SOMETIMES WE SHARE LOCATIONS, BUT HIS PHONE IS OFF AND HIS LOCATION IS OFF. MEANWHILE, A TRUCK REFERENCED IN ANDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK POST ABOUT HIS DISAPPEARANCE WAS REMOVED FROM THE SCENE. TODAY. THE CORONER’S OFFICE SAYS THE TRUCK WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND IN GEORGIA. INVESTIGATORS TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER RAIMI’S WIFE DROVE IT HERE TO THE SCENE. NOW, I REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND WHY RAIMI’S WIFE HAD HIS TRUCK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL BE RELEASING DETAILS SOON. IN ANDERSON COUNTY, I’M MYA PATTON, WYFF NEWS FOUR. THANK YOU. MYA. AN UPSTATE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FIGHTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PULL A FEDERAL GRANT. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS IT WAS BEING USED FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, OR DEI INITIATIVES. LAWRENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT 55 DISAGREES. OUR PEYTON FURTADO IS LIVE. BREAKING IT ALL DOWN. PEYTON. HI, NIGEL AND CAROL. YEAH, THIS COULD HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON LAWRENCE. DISTRICT 55. THE SUPERINTENDENT MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK ON MONDAY, DURING A MEETING FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. AND IF THIS APPEAL IS UNSUCCESSFUL, THIS COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DOWN THE ROAD. WE WERE HIT LAST WEEK WITH A VERY HARD BLOW. IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE, YOU KNOW, NOT ANTICIPATING, AND WE DID LOSE OUR LAWRENCE LAWRENCE GRANT. LAST WEEK, DISTRICT OFFICIALS RECEIVED WORD THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS PULLING THEIR $13.5 MILLION GRANT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT PROMOTES OR TAKES PART IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, OR DEI INITIATIVES. I WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT IS 100% NOT TRUE. THE SCHOOL WAS 18 MONTHS INTO THIS THREE YEAR FEDERAL GRANT, AND THE MONEY GOES TOWARD FUNDING MASTER TEACHERS WHO HELP TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY PROVIDE MENTORSHIP. AND IN THE LAST YEAR, THEY’VE HELPED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SCORE HIGHER ON NATIONAL AND STATE BENCHMARKS. WITHOUT THIS FRAMEWORK, THERE IS A RISK OF WIDENING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS, INCREASING TEACHER BURNOUT, AND ULTIMATELY WEAKENING THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR SCHOOLS. SO BASICALLY, WE FOUND SOMETHING THAT WORKS. YES. AND WE’RE GOING FORWARD. AND NOW THE MONEY’S GONE. CORRECT? CORRECT. IT WOULD COST NEARLY $800,000 JUST TO KEEP THESE TEACHERS THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. MONDAY NIGHT, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADD THAT TO THE BUDGET, WHILE ALSO APPEALING THIS DECISION ABOUT THE GRANT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE’RE NOT STOPPING BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT’S RIGHT FOR KIDS. AND SO WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IT UNTIL SOMEBODY TELLS US WE CAN’T. ACCORDING TO SHERI EAST WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THIS IS BECOMING A PROBLEM STATEWIDE. SHE KNOWS OF A SIMILAR SCHOOL THAT HAS ALREADY APPEALED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THERE WERE SOME LANGUAGE THAT SOMEONE PICKED OUT OF A, YOU KNOW, A PIECE OF PAPER, THEY’RE TOLD THEIR FUNDING IS GOING TO BE CUT. AND WE REACHED OUT TO CONGRESSWOMAN SHERI BIGS ON THIS ISSUE, AND WE ACTUALLY JUST GOT A STATEMENT BACK A FEW MINUTES AGO. SHE SAID, QUOTE, YESTERDAY I WAS NOTIFIED OF A REPORTED TERMINATION OF AN EDUCATION GRANT THAT WAS APPLIED AND APPROVED UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION YEARS PRIOR TO MY ELECTION TO CONGRESS. MY STAFF AND I ARE CURRENTLY GATHERING THE FACTS RELATED TO THIS GRANT. LIVE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY. I’M PEYTON FURTADO WYFF NEWS FOUR. PEYTON. THANK YOU. TURNING TO WEATHER NOW AS WE TAKE A LIVE LOOK FROM OUR ASHEVILLE SKYCAM. WOW, LOOK AT THAT SUN SETTING BEHIND THE MOUNTAINS. THE. CLOUDS. THAT’S JUST A BEAUTIFUL SHOT AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. SO WARM OUT THERE. CHIEF METEOROLOGIST CHRIS JUSTUS IS HERE. CHRIS, WE UNDERSTAND THERE MIGHT BE A CHANCE OF RAIN TOMORROW. YEAH, A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS AS A FRONT MOVES THROUGH OUR AREA. I MEAN, WE’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE LOW 70S HERE IN FEBRUARY, BUT HERE WE ARE. A FRONT’S GOING TO TRY TO CORRECT THAT, BUT IT’S A VERY WEAK FRONT. WHICH MEANS LIMITED RAIN AND NOT THAT MUCH OF A COOL DOWN BEHIND IT. WE’VE GOT CLEAR SKIES RIGHT NOW. A FEW OF THOSE CLOUDS OFF TOWARD THE WEST, BUT A BEAUTY OF A SUNSET UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW. WE’VE GOT A NICE EVENING TAKING SHAPE. IT’S CURRENTLY 71, IN GREENVILLE AND IN ANDERSON, 70 IN SPARTANBURG AT 65 RIGHT NOW IN ASHEVILLE AND HENDERSONVILLE. MOVING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, WE’LL SEE MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES. TEMPERATURES FALL DOWN TO AROUND 50 DEGREES, A SOUTHWEST WIND AHEAD OF THAT FRONT KEEPING US MILD TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW MORNING COMPARED TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT COMING UP, I’VE GOT A COUPLE OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AND A BETTER CHANCE FOR RAIN. I’LL SHOW YOU. CHRIS. THANK YOU. WE’RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT A DEADLY SHOOTING INVOLVING ANDERSON COUNTY DEPUTIES. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND. ACCORDING TO SLED. A DEPUTY ATTEMPTED TO STOP A MAN WHO WAS ON A BICYCLE TO SERVE A FAMILY COURT BENCH WARRANT. INVESTIGATORS SAY DURING THE ENCOUNTER, THE MAN GOT OFF THE BIKE AND RAN. SLED SAYS THE MAN PULLED A HANDGUN, LEADING TO THE DEPUTY TO OPEN FIRE. THE MAN WAS IDENTIFIED AS 55 YEAR OLD LAWRENCE DEVILBISS. THE DEPUTY WAS NOT INJURED. CREWS CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE ARMSTRONG FIRE IN MCDOWELL COUNTY. THE FIRE IS LOCATED ALONG ARMSTRONG CREEK ROAD OFF HIGHWAY 226 A THAT IS NORTH OF MARION. THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED AT 40 ACRES AND IS 30% CONTAINED. FIREFIGHTERS WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT TO ESTABLISH CONTAINMENT LINES. WE’RE TOLD THAT THE AREA WHERE THE FIRE IS BURNING RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE HELENE. POLICE IN WELLFORD ARE HOPING TO TURN A NEGATIVE SITUATION INTO A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR SEVERAL CHILDREN ACCUSED OF DESTROYING FOOD IN A BLESSING BOX. A FACEBOOK POST SAYS THE KIDS WENT INTO THE BLESSING BOX ON MAIN STREET AND DESTROYED ALL THE FOOD THAT WAS IN IT, THEN RAN AWAY. THE POST WAS LATER UPDATED TO SAY THAT THE KIDS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND POLICE WILL, QUOTE, WORK WITH THEM AND THE PARENTS TO TURN THIS INTO A POSITIVE. SITUATION. END QUOTE. TARIFFS AND OTHER ECONOMIC FACTORS WERE ONE OF THE KEY TALKING POINTS FOR AUTO INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THE UPSTATE TODAY. DURING AN ANNUAL SUMMIT, REY LLERENA JOINS US LIVE IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE. AND REI LEADERS SAY THIS IS CAUSING SOME UNCERTAINTY IN THE INDUSTRY. IT IS NIGEL. AND LEADERS SAY THAT THE SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS LIKE ARE CURRENTLY ASSESSING HOW THESE TARIFFS COULD IMPACT THEM. LEADERS ESTIMATE THAT A 25% TARIFF ON ALUMINUM AND STEEL COULD ADD AROUND $1,000 TO THE COST OF A CAR. LENNY LA ROCHA, THE U.S. AUTO LEADER FOR KPMG, SAYS THE AVERAGE SELLING PRICE FOR A NEW CAR IS AROUND $50,000, A RECORD HIGH. HE SAYS THE TARIFFS COULD CHIP INTO THEIR PROFITS, WHICH IS BETWEEN 1200 TO $2000 PER VEHICLE. WELL, THE OEMS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ASSESS HOW TO HOW TO MANAGE THAT, RIGHT, WHETHER IT’S, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS, COMING UP WITH, YOU KNOW, WAYS OF ADDRESSING THE INCREASE IN COST. AND WE’LL REALLY HAVE TO ASSESS WHAT WHAT THEY COULD REALLY DO TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY. DE LA ROCHA ALSO SAYS COMPANIES HAVE INVESTED AROUND $300 BILLION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN THE U.S. SO FAR. HE SAYS UNCERTAINTY REGARDING TARIFFS COULD CAUSE COMPANIES TO DELAY INVESTMENTS BACK HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURERS ALLIANCE SAYS THERE ARE MORE THAN 500 MANUFACTURERS THAT ARE WORKING IN THE STATE’S AUTO INDUSTRY.

Woman sentenced to prison for embezzling money from nonprofit for cancer patients

Updated: 10:53 PM EST Feb 26, 2025

On Wednesday, a North Carolina woman was sentenced to prison for stealing thousands of dollars from nonprofit organization for cancer patients.According to court documents and court proceedings, Stephanie L. Roberts was the executive director of Cancer Services of Gaston County, a nonprofit corporation that provides support and resources for cancer patients. Beginning no later than January 8, 2016, through January 21, 2022, Roberts embezzled more than $136,000 from the nonprofit corporation.More News: Upstate authorities search for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect in murder of missing manRoberts also admitted that she failed to pay more than $200,000 withheld from the paychecks of the nonprofit corporation’s employees for federal income, Medicare, and Social Security taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to the embezzlement scheme, Roberts made and subscribed, under penalty of perjury, U.S. income tax returns that falsely stated the amount of tax withheld from her wages, and falsely claimed that amount was paid to the IRS.More News: Local man charged with statutory rape of child under 13 years oldOn March 22, 2024, Roberts pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care; failure to truthfully account for and pay over trust fund taxes; and making and subscribing a false tax return.On Wednesday, the 55-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In addition to the prison term imposed, Roberts was ordered to serve two years under court supervision, and to pay $157,722 in restitution to the nonprofit victim and $62,612 to the IRS.More News: Former SC government employee charged in $10k pandemic unemployment scam”Roberts treated a nonprofit organization meant to support cancer patients as her personal piggy bank, stealing funds intended to help those in need of resources and services during a health crisis. Roberts will now be held accountable for her reprehensible actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Lawrence J. Cameron.

GASTONIA, N.C. —

On Wednesday, a North Carolina woman was sentenced to prison for stealing thousands of dollars from nonprofit organization for cancer patients.

According to court documents and court proceedings, Stephanie L. Roberts was the executive director of Cancer Services of Gaston County, a nonprofit corporation that provides support and resources for cancer patients. Beginning no later than January 8, 2016, through January 21, 2022, Roberts embezzled more than $136,000 from the nonprofit corporation.

More News: Upstate authorities search for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect in murder of missing man

Roberts also admitted that she failed to pay more than $200,000 withheld from the paychecks of the nonprofit corporation’s employees for federal income, Medicare, and Social Security taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

In addition to the embezzlement scheme, Roberts made and subscribed, under penalty of perjury, U.S. income tax returns that falsely stated the amount of tax withheld from her wages, and falsely claimed that amount was paid to the IRS.

More News: Local man charged with statutory rape of child under 13 years old

On March 22, 2024, Roberts pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care; failure to truthfully account for and pay over trust fund taxes; and making and subscribing a false tax return.

On Wednesday, the 55-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In addition to the prison term imposed, Roberts was ordered to serve two years under court supervision, and to pay $157,722 in restitution to the nonprofit victim and $62,612 to the IRS.

More News: Former SC government employee charged in $10k pandemic unemployment scam

“Roberts treated a nonprofit organization meant to support cancer patients as her personal piggy bank, stealing funds intended to help those in need of resources and services during a health crisis. Roberts will now be held accountable for her reprehensible actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Lawrence J. Cameron.