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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Robert Jones, Nonprofit CEO, Gets 10 Years in Prison

It's never good to hear about a nonprofit CEO involved in fraudulent activity, but that's exactly the case in the latest installment of Nonprofit Times TV.  According to the report, the head of the National Center for the Employment of the Disabled, Robert Jones, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud related to government contracts.  Jones was convicted for, among other things, lying about the number of disabled workers his organization had to qualify for no-bid government contracts.  Jones was also fined $65 million in restitution.

Patrick Woods, a former board member of the organization, was also convicted in the case. He was sentenced to three years in prison, and must pay $1.7 million.  The El Paso, Texas organization, looking to move on from this story, is now operating under the name ReadyOne Industries.

We hear stories about fraud in major businesses all the time, so it's especially sad when we see people working for an organization that is supposed to be fighting for the disadvantaged involved in criminal activity.  What are your thoughts about the sentencing of Robert Jones and Patrick Woods?  Is it too harsh or not harsh enough, considering the crime?  Tell us your thoughts.  

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