Barbara Harris, a former nonprofit executive from South Holland, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges for her role in two separate schemes that misappropriated over $1.8 million in government grants and charitable funds intended to benefit underprivileged youth programs.
Key Details
- Barbara Harris, former director of a Chicago-area nonprofit, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud.
- She admitted to misappropriating $1.8 million in education grants and defrauding the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
- Harris faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for July 11.
Primary Scheme:
Center for Community Academic Success Partnerships (CCASP) Scheme (2012–2017):
- From 2012 to 2017, Harris served as the executive director of the Center for Community Academic Success Partnerships (CCASP), which provided after-school programs in Chicago-area schools. Prosecutors allege Harris and another executive, Tony Bell, inflated CCASP’s expenses and falsely claimed collaboration with five subcontractors—two of which were controlled by Harris and Bell but provided no services. This scheme resulted in approximately $1.8 million in losses to the Illinois State Board of Education.
- Harris served as Executive Director of CCASP, which received government funding, including grants from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education.
- Alongside co-conspirator Tony Bell, Harris inflated grant applications and falsely claimed services from five subcontractors—two of which were nonprofits controlled by Harris and Bell that provided no actual services.
- This scheme caused approximately $1.8 million in losses to the Illinois Department of Education.
Secondary Scheme:
AmeriCorps VISTA Program Scheme (2021–2023):
- Between 2021 and 2023, Harris defrauded the federally funded AmeriCorps VISTA program while serving as co-executive director of South Suburban Community Services (SSCS). She submitted false grant applications claiming VISTA members would develop economic programs for Chicago’s south suburbs. Instead, the volunteers were assigned to existing initiatives already funded by other grants, causing nearly $99,000 in losses to the VISTA program.
- While serving as Co-Executive Director of South Suburban Community Services (SSCS), Harris submitted falsified grant applications to AmeriCorps VISTA.
- She claimed that VISTA members would develop economic programs for Chicago’s south suburbs but instead used them to support pre-existing, already-funded programs.
- This resulted in an additional loss of $98,699 to the VISTA program.
Legal Proceedings
- Harris, 55, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025, to one count of wire fraud. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 11, where she faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
- Tony Bell, 64, of Matteson, Illinois, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud related to the CCASP scheme. He is awaiting trial.
Impact
The fraudulent activities diverted funds meant for educational enrichment and poverty alleviation programs, undermining efforts to support underprivileged youth in the Chicago area. The case underscores the importance of accountability and oversight in nonprofit management.
