Another charity another stolen $500,000

 
Tyler, TX:  

Jessica Rottab, executive director of the East Texas Center for Independent Living advocacy group for the disabled in Tyler, TX has been charged in the US Eastern District of Texas for stealing over $500,000 intended for handicapped clients. (Source: KLTV)

(Source: KETK)

According to US Attorneys, Rottab began stealing federal program funds in June 2017 through September 2018. Rottab has been ordered to return the stolen $530,000 and is facing formal charges pending a court date. (Source: US Eastern District)

The US Department of Health and Humans Services may operate slowly in East Texas, but it typically does not look kindly to the theft of government money and/or the abuse of special needs clients. Unfortunately, members of the family cliques in the area believe they are entitled through birthright to any and all cash flowing in and out of the non-profits. They also think they can get away with abusing the handicapped and elderly residents because Adult Protective Services often looks the other way.

In March 2020, Toni Marie Rambo, a QC director at the Azleway Boy's Ranch in Tyler was sentenced to 40 years state prison for stealing over $190,000 from the facility. (Source: KLTV)

 
Toni Marie Rambo

Two caregivers were caught on camera abusing an autistic teenage resident of the Community Access, Inc. group home in Tyler, TX.  On March 17, 2020, Bubacarr Ceesay, 24, of Tyler, and Auston Kile Reed, 23, of Lindale, were indicted in Smith County on multiple felony Injury to a Disable Person charges.  (Source: Tyler Paper)

 




Footnote:
July 7, 2020 at the Steger Federal Courthouse in Tyler, TX,  Jessica Rottab entered a guilty plea for embezzling $526,000 from the East Texas Center for Independent Living. Her deal includes 7 years in federal prison and an undisclosed fine. Sentencing is scheduled later in the Fall.

Stolen: $190,000 from Azleway Boy's Ranch

Don't be fooled. Charities and faith based non-profits are cookie jars for Cherokee County and neighboring locals. No one cares where the money goes because of the fraudulent tax write-offs.

 

Troup, TX:
Azleway Boy's Ranch QC Administrator Toni Rambo, 54, has been charged with stealing nearly $190,000 over a 5 year period. Rambo lives in Troup, TX located in northeastern Cherokee County bordering Smith County. The 50-acre child services facility housed at-risk boys ranging in ages 6 to 17 years-old and has operated for the last 40 years in the Tyler area. According to Smith County investigators, Rambo altered charity allowance records and pocketed the children's funds beginning in 2015. (Source: KLTV)

Azleway, Inc. operates as a tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit charity. The IRS allows donors to take a tax deduction for contributions of goods, cash and other assets. Cash pledges donated to the children living at the ranch were to be disbursed weekly based on good behavior. Cash receipts were provided to donating businesses and entities for tax purposes, while Rambo oversaw the agency bookkeeping.

One example given was a sheet showing a resident earned $7. Rambo then added $75 for an amount totaling $82 and kept the $75. (Source: Longview News Journal)

Forensic documents allege that Rambo misappropriated $48,049 in 2015, $53,546 in 2016, $42,969 in 2017, and $26,437 in 2018 (Source: KETX)

Rambo admitted to the scheme during an interview with administrators and attorneys. (Source: Tyler Paper) She is charged with 1st Degree Felony Theft and on out on a $300,000 bond.

Toni Marie Rambo, Troup TX, pleaded guilty to the theft of the nearly $200,000 on February 21, 2020 in Smith County's 114 District Court. (Source: KETK)


Toni Marie Rambo

On March 12, 2020 Rambo was sentenced to 40 years prison for embezzling nearly $200,000 according to KLTV (Source: Troup woman gets 40 years in prison for embezzling nearly $200,000 from Azleway)

Azleway Boy's Ranch has been under legal scrutiny after allegations of abuse and inappropriate relationships between the staff and children were reported to State Protective Services.  (Source: CBS 19) HHSC conducted 103 investigations between December 2016 and 2018 as the money poured in.

Among the documents are several allegations where residents were reported to have "sexually act out", including an incident on November 12, 2018 where, “a child in care at the ranch was accused of raping another child.” There's also several claims of boys being left unsupervised, resulting in injuries to some of the residents.

In one case, less than a month ago, "a child in care was able to gain access of a butcher knife in order to make threats of bodily harm." Also among the claims investigated by HHSC are allegations into inappropriate behavior by caregivers at the ranch.

Caregivers are accused of exposing the boys to drugs like marijuana and to pornographic materials. In addition to that, several reports allege inappropriate punishment, threats of physical harm, and verbal abuse by the caregivers towards the residents. (Source: CBS 19)

Executive Director Gary Duke is leaving his post in January 2019. Azleway has since transitioned to a foster care facility and changed it name to Azleway Valley View. (Source: CBS 19)