AmeriCorps Disallowed Funds Resulting from Falsified Volunteer Timesheets

The AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General (AmeriCorps OIG) investigated allegations that multiple AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP) volunteers submitted falsified timesheets during their service at Kansas City Shepherd’s Center (KCSC). The investigation substantiated that three SCP volunteers submitted falsified timesheets and received a combined total of $7,769.82 in Federal funds as a result. One of the volunteers, Manuel Benson Jr., pled guilty to one count of 18 U.S.C. § 641, Theft of Government Money, and was sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to pay $4,727.55 in restitution. The other volunteers entered into repayment agreements with KCSC and the United States Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute them. AmeriCorps OIG referred the matter to AmeriCorps and recommended it disallow the funds KCSC paid to the volunteers less the amount of Benson’s restitution. AmeriCorps OIG also recommended that AmeriCorps provide training and technical assistance to KCSC to ensure volunteer supervisors are adequately supervising volunteers.