Kendra Uzoma Okonkwo
LOS ANGELES — Authorities have apparently unveiled a scheme to launder money through a charter school.
51-year-old Kendra Uzoma Okonkwo and her 29-year-old son Jason Chiazom Okonkwo were charged with misappropriation of public funds, money laundering, and keeping a false account. The arrest occurred on Thursday.
They allegedly funneled $200,000 “to a company that submitted fake invoices for a shell company,” according to the LA County District Attorney’s office.
Kendra Okonkwo opened the “Wisdom Academy for Young Scientists” over ten years ago. A LACDA press release detailed that “roughly $201,000 was transferred from the school to a business allegedly run by Kendra Okonkwo between January 2012 and March 2014. Jason Okonkwo is accused of approving fake invoices for purported school supplies and food from the shell company.”
The money was then deposited into the company account and then transferred into a personal bank account.
A bail of $145,000 has been recommended. If convicted, the pair face up to 6 years in state prison.
