Connie Bobo, 46, is charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding

Bobo, the executive director of a Missouri nonprofit, allegedly stole $10 million from a program intended to provide meals for low-income children

Part of the loot allegedly, financed her $1 million mansion in St. Charles, MO

Bobo allegedly also Purchased property for her relatives, spent $2.2 million on commercial real estate investment

She’s accused of gifting nearly $1.4 million to her partner Howard Hughes III, who spent $211,907 of the funds on a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon

Following her arrest by FBI agents she was offered a plea deal three weeks ago, but refused to admit guilt before the judge

She faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted, when her week-long trial begins on Tuesday, with prosecutors seeking reimbursement, including forfeiture of the homes and the SUV

Connie Bobo, [photo], Executive Director of New Heights Community Resource Center in St. Louis, Missouri, was charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding

The executive director of a Missouri nonprofit, diverted $10 million from a program intended to provide meals for low-income children, including during the coronavirus pandemic.
Connie Bobo, 46, in October 2023, was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.
Bobo ran the New Heights Community Resource Center in the St. Louis suburb of Bridgeton for a decade. She enrolled the charity in two US Department of Agriculture-funded programs that reimburse nonprofits for distributing food to needy children, prosecutors said.
Bobo prosecutors allege, claimed $20 million in reimbursements for New Heights despite having only purchased enough food and milk to serve less than three million meals.
Instead, according to court documents, the looted funds went towards her purchasing mansions, luxury automobiles and commercial real estate investment.
Prosecutors on Tuesday alleged the defendant spent stolen cash financing ‘a mansion for herself, houses for her family and a bright yellow Mercedes for her boyfriend.’
Bobo’s defense attorney however, argued that Bobo did not intentionally violate the rules of the federal program and had tried to correct the issues before her arrest.
According the defense, all actions of the non-profit executive were made in the ‘best interest of the community and an attempt to give back’.

Bobo allegedly stole $10 million from a program intended to provide meals for low-income children. Part of the loot allegedly, financed this $1 million mansion, [photo], that she bought in St. Charles, Missouri

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services paid out about $11 million from February 2019 to March 2022, after Bobo allegedly submitted reimbursement claims stating that New Heights served nearly six million meals. 
Bobo received $11 million in fraudulent claims. The indictment alleges Bobo spent $4.3 million on five properties in St. Charles County, for herself and her relatives, including a $1 million mansion which she claimed was New Heights’ office.
She proceed to plunk down $2.2 million on commercial real estate investment. She is also accused of gifting nearly $1.4 million to her partner Howard Hughes III, part of which was spent on $211,907 Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon 4X4 Squared. 
‘As her lies were discovered, the defendant used forged documents to try and cover up her  crimes,’ Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Clow told the court Tuesday.

Bobo prosecutors said, also gifted nearly $1.4 million to her romantic partner Howard Hughes III, ]photo], who spent $211,907 of the funds on a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon 4X4 Squared

Bobo allegedly, listed family members and friends as New Heights Board members on official documents. Former friend Dacia Betts testified she only found out she was listed as the organization’s vice president after being contacted by the FBI.
Asked if she had ever attended a board meeting for the nonprofit during cross examination, Betts said
she attended some of Bobo’s family gatherings where they discussed their businesses. However she made it clear she did not have the capacity to serve on the New Heights board.
Bobo, who also owned the Infinite Wisdom Early Childhood Center daycare, was indicted in October 2023 and remained free pending trial. 
The court ordered she could not have access to any personal or financial information related to the child care facility.

‘As her lies were discovered, the defendant used forged documents to try and cover up her crimes,’ prosecutors said. Her defense countered that she ‘did not intentionally violate the rules of the federal program and had tried to correct the issues before her arrest’. That her actions were made in the ‘best interest of the community and an attempt to give back’

After prosecutors in August 2024, learned she was still listed as leaseholder for Infinite Wisdom Early Childhood Center, also controlling the accounts the judge revoked her bond.
FBI agents arrived at her home to effect her arrest, but Bobo refused to cooperate, prosecutors allege. She was caught trying to flee the residence when police breached the front door, following a standoff that lasted nearly two-hour standoff.
Offered a plea deal three weeks ago, Bobo refused to admit guilt before the judge. Her trial began on Tuesday and is expected to continue into next week.
If convicted as charged Bobo could face more than 20 years in prison. Prosecutors who have emphasized the seriousness of exploiting programs meant for needy children, especially during the pandemic, are seeking reimbursement, including forfeiture of the homes and the SUV.