“The seven defendants who have now pled guilty in this case sought to steal from our most vulnerable population: economically disadvantaged children,” Williams said on Tuesday. “The defendants created elaborate schemes with complete disregard for the fact that the money they selfishly stole should have gone towards providing children with much-needed technology to further their education and brighten their future.”
The sentencing and pleas had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams said the seven people convicted perverted the fair and open bidding process required by the E‑Rate program. The defendants who held themselves out as independent consultants working for the schools in truth worked for and were paid by other defendants who controlled vendor companies.
