by Harrisburg, PA – A New York City man will spend over three years behind bars after he fraudulently used nearly $900,000 in federal funds—originally meant to feed needy Pennsylvanians—to bankroll a lavish lifestyle.
Darrell Devonish, 53, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Authorities say Devonish and his nonprofit organization, Rebuilding Better Communities, received over $1 million ($1,074,328.45) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The funds were designated for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)—initiatives aimed at helping low-income families access nutritious meals.
But instead of using the money to help feed Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable, Devonish misused nearly $900,000 for personal luxuries between February 2017 and August 2019.
Here’s how the funds were misused:
- $175,000+ spent on jewelry
- $45,000+ used to buy and maintain two vehicles
- $75,000+ spent on designer clothing and cosmetics
- $12,000+ used on liquor
- $100,000+ spent on travel and entertainment
- $220,000+ withdrawn as cash from ATMs
“These programs were created to ensure children and adults in need have access to nutritious meals,” said Charmeka Parker, Special Agent-in-Charge at the USDA Office of Inspector General. “When someone steals from these programs, they are stealing from the people who need help the most.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Devonish was ordered to pay $883,518.33 in restitution.
