Financial Fraud Scandal Rocks American Samoa: Former Grant Administrator and Daughter Guilty of Stealing $150,000 in Federal Funds Meant for Domestic Violence Victims
A shocking case of financial fraud has been uncovered in American Samoa, where a former grant administrator and her daughter were found guilty of stealing over $150,000 in federal funds intended to benefit victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The Fraudulent Scheme
Julie Matau, 49, and her daughter Andrea, 28, both from San Francisco, pleaded guilty to their crimes before US District Judge Claudia Wilken. The duo stole the money between August 2005 and September 2007 while working for U’una’ial Legal Services Corporation (ULSC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual abuse in American Samoa.
The Investigation Reveals
According to court documents, Julie Matau, who served as ULSC’s grant administrator, and David Wagner, the acting executive director, were responsible for submitting applications for federal funding and managing the grant funds awarded to ULSC. Andrea Matau worked as a legal assistant under her mother’s supervision.
The trio arranged for themselves, relatives of Julie and Andrea Matau, and others to receive federal grant funds to which they were not legally entitled. The investigation revealed that:
- Julie Matau illegally received $65,649 in federal grant funds
- Andrea Matau took home $24,634
- Wagner received $31,292
- The Mataus’ relatives received $38,188
The fraudsters admitted that they knew they had no legal entitlement to receive these funds and intended to keep them for themselves.
Consequences of the Fraud
The case has sent shockwaves through American Samoa, where the non-profit organization was dedicated to providing vital services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The guilty pleas have sparked outrage among community leaders and advocates who are calling for accountability and restitution.
Julie Matau faces significant prison sentences, with a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for wire fraud. Andrea Matau could receive up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 for theft of federal funds. Sentencing is set for March 27, 2012.
Calls for Accountability
The financial fraud scandal has sparked calls for accountability and restitution from community leaders and advocates who are committed to providing vital services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in American Samoa. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in non-profit organizations that receive federal funding.