CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Pearland man stole Goodwill grant money destined for homeless veterans

Pearland Journal - 2/4/2017

A former Goodwill employee and his associate have been sentenced to federal prison after they stole Veterans Affairs grant money that was earmarked to help homeless veterans with housing.

Darrell Demond Arline, 37, of Pearland, pleaded guilty to multiple wire fraud charges and was sentenced to two years in prison and must pay $316,512.13 in restitution, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

Aaron Matthew Pierce, 37, of Houston, was convicted of wire fraud by a federal jury and was sentenced to six months in prison. Pierce must pay $18,016 in restitution.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Suspects hang around gas station after allegedly robbing woman

Arline was Goodwill's program manager for U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families grants.

The multi-million-dollar grants were awarded to Goodwill Industries of Houston. The money was intended for very poor veterans and their families who are facing homelessness.

From January 2013 to August 2014, Arline and Pierce stole money from the grant through fraudulent purchase orders submitted by a sham sole proprietorship set up in Pierce's name. Arline pretended to provide emergency housing assistance to veterans, the press release states.

U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett noted the victims of this crime were the military veterans of this country.