NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – A family of three at the helm of a nonprofit that’s supposed to provide affordable housing to homeless and mentally disabled people was charged today with using federal money for lavish personal expenses – including Saints tickets, a cruise and trips to the spa.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District, 48-year-old Rickey Roberson, his wife Ada Craige-Roberson and her mother, Melanie Duplechain, run Alternatives Living, a nonprofit that receives federal funds to provide housing for people in need.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that the family spent the nonprofit’s money on Saints tickets, cruises and other things that weren’t related to the nonprofit’s work.
A 2014 report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office notes that the family improperly spent $133,164 on luxury vehicles, college tuition payments, personal travel, sporting events, life insurance premiums, satellite radio – and a trip to the spa.
They are facing charges of conspiracy and theft of federal funds.
