Ex-Head of Ore. Charity Jailed for Pocketing State Funds

The former leader of a Portland, Ore., youth charity was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for stealing state money intended for feeding and teaching underprivileged children, reports The Oregonian.

Federal authorities said Gerardo Mosquera pocketed Oregon Department of Education funds he claimed the charity, Diversity Initiatives, had used to provide some 100,000 meals. The organization received $1.6-million from the state agency from 2003 to 2009.

Mr. Mosquera fled to his native Colombia in 2009 while under investigation for fraud. He was extradited last year.