Pa. Charity Leaders Charged with $1.25-Million Grant Theft

Two top officials at a Pennsylvania social-service organization have been charged with misusing $1.25-million in state and federal grants aimed at helping fathers improve their lives for the benefit of their children, Harrisburg television station WHTM and The Philadelphia Inquirer report.

Lawrence Yancey, CEO of the National Comprehensive Center for Fathers, and Anthony McNeil, the group’s chief financial officer, face theft and conspiracy counts, as does Bryon Noon, the former director of a state Department of Public Welfare unit that disbursed grants to welfare-to-work organizations.

Prosecutors said Mr. Yancey channeled the center’s funds into lavish trips, personal expenses, and political contributions and that Mr. McNeil arranged an extra paycheck for himself and used it to buy a car. Mr. Noon is accused of allowing the charity to misuse the grants through a lack of fiscal oversight and getting payments for turning a blind eye. The Inquirer said it could not reach any of the suspects for comment.