A Missouri woman allegedly blew $11 million in charity funds on a mansion for herself, homes for her family, and a yellow Mercedes-Benz G Wagon for her boyfriend.
Connie Bobo was the executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center, near St Louis, for a decade.
Over the years, she allegedly stole $11 million that was meant to buy meals for needy children.
Investigators say Bobo, 46, claimed $20 million in “meal reimbursements” for New Heights despite purchasing enough food and milk to serve less than 3 million meals.
Bobo used the money to buy herself a $1 million mansion in St Charles (pictured), purchase property for her relatives and spent $2.2 million on a commercial real estate investment, prosecutors alleged.
She allegedly gave nearly $1.4 million to her boyfriend Howard Hughes III, who spent $211,907 on a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon.
Hughes posted photos of Bobo’s expensive gifts on his Facebook page.
Bobo was arrested in October 2023 and remained free on bond pending her trial. The judge told her she could not have access to a daycare center she owned.
However, in August 2024, prosecutors learned she controlled bank accounts for the daycare center and was still involved in the day-to-day operation.
The judge revoked her bond and FBI agents arrived at her home to arrest her, but she refused to open the door.
After a nearly 2-hour standoff, federal agents broke down the door and took Bobo into custody when she tried to flee.
Her trial began on Tuesday and is expected to continue into next week.
Her attorney told the jury that Bobo did not intentionally violate the rules of the federal program and she tried to correct the issues before her arrest.
“[She bought] a mansion for herself, houses for her family and a bright yellow Mercedes for her boyfriend,” Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Clow told jurors at her trial on Tuesday.
“As her lies were discovered, the defendant used forged documents to try and cover up her crimes,” he added.
Bobo was offered a plea deal last month, but she declined, the Post-Dispatch reported.
The government seized her homes, cars, businesses, and bank accounts.
She faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted.
