Latest news with #HouseofNewBeginnings
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man indicted after alleged theft of $2.5 million from Maryland through child care, benefit fraud
BALTIMORE — An Anne Arundel County grand jury indicted a man for allegedly stealing over $2.5 million from the state through fraudulent child care operations and state benefits for which he didn't quality. The 41-year-old man, Jonathan Tarrell Smalls, owned and operated multiple child care centers, including the Baltimore City-based Habakkuk Outreach Ministry, House of New Beginnings and It'z A Brighter Learning Center, according to a Friday news release from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Smalls' indictments stem from an investigation led by the attorney general's Fraud and Corruption Unit that found that between 2014 and 2024, Smalls fraudulently obtained over $2.5 million from the state by concealing that he owned child care centers and inflating attendance records, the release says. He is charged with felony theft scheme, identity fraud and public assistance fraud. Smalls' attorney, Marc Zyon, said he has been in discussion with the attorney general's office regarding the case and that he is waiting to receive and review the 'tremendous' amount of paperwork associated with the allegations against Smalls. 'Obviously, [Smalls] is presumed innocent before proven guilty,' Zyon said. 'We intend to defend the case vigorously.' The release says Smalls' fraud began after the Maryland State Department of Education revoked his child care certificate of registration and refused to license any facilities in which he was involved. A reason for his certification being revoked was not disclosed. The attorney general said that in order to continue operating and receiving state payments that are available only to licensed providers, Smalls allegedly assumed multiple false identities and concealed his involvement in several child care centers. Allegedly operating under fraudulently obtained licenses, the facilities also submitted falsified attendance records to claim larger payments from the state, the release says. According to the attorney general, Smalls submitted an invoice to the state in 2018 that said one of his facilities had 51 children present with no absences. The state department of education conducted a visit the same day that found only 12 children at the facility, the release says. Additionally, in October 2023, one of the facilities Smalls allegedly operated through a fake identity billed the state for more than 20 children, but a second visit from the education department that same day found that the facility was closed, according to the attorney general's office. The second indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2024, Smalls fraudulently received benefits meant to help low-income residents pay for medical services, as well as nutrition assistance program benefits, by falsifying his residence and income, according to the release. The attorney general said Smalls moved to Pennsylvania but allegedly continued to receive both the benefits from Maryland by lying on his application and also reporting an income of $1,000 a month when he had an income significantly higher. Zyon would not confirm what area or state Smalls resides in. It is alleged by the attorney general that Smalls' standard of living was inconsistent with that of someone who lives off $1,000 a month because during the same time, Smalls owned property in Florida and Pennsylvania, as well as two Bentleys, according to the release. The cases will be tried in Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County, and a status conference is scheduled for March 28. 'Defrauding childcare and public assistance programs directly harms the families who rely on them most,' said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown in a statement. 'My Office will pursue those who exploit these essential services and hold them accountable.' ------------
CBS News
17-02-2025
- CBS News
Maryland childcare center owner charged for allegedly stealing more than $2.5 million in benefits fraud scheme
The owner of multiple Baltimore City childcare centers has been charged with stealing more than $2.5 million from the state of Maryland in a fraud scheme. The fraud occurred between 2014 and 2024, according to the attorney general's office. According to the AG's office, Jonathan Smalls, who owned and operated the Habbakuk Outreach Ministries, House of New Beginnings, and It'z a Brighter Learning Center, childcare centers. After the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) revoked Small's childcare certificate of registration and refused to license any of his facilities, officials said Small assumed multiple false identities to continue receiving state payments. Small also submitted falsified attendance records to claim larger state payments, the AG alleges. "Defrauding childcare and public assistance programs directly harms the families who rely on them most," Attorney General Anthony Brown said. "My Office will pursue those who exploit these essential services and hold them accountable." On Feb. 6, 2018, one of Small's facilities invoiced the state for 51 children who had all been marked present with no absences. However, a visit from the MSDE on the same day found that only 12 children were in attendance. On Oct. 23, 2023, another facility secretly controlled by smalls billed the state for more than 20 children, but an MSDE site visit revealed the facility was closed with no children present, the AG said. According to a second indictment, Smalls moved to Pennsylvania but continued to receive medical assistance and SNAP benefits from Maryland by falsifying his address and income between 2016 and 2024. The state said Smalls only reported an income of $1,000 per month when his income was significantly higher. The AG also said Smalls was not living a lifestyle consistent with making $1,000 a month, as he allegedly owned properties in Florida and Pennsylvania, and two Bentley motor vehicles. The trial for the case will take place in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. A status conference will take place on March 28, 2025.
