Former Army Employee Sentenced for Fraud

Janet Yamanaka Mello, a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of stealing nearly $109 million from a youth development program for military families. Mello, 57, manipulated her position to create a fraudulent organization, Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, and submitted over 40 fraudulent grant applications between 2016 and 2023. She lavishly spent the embezzled funds on luxury items, including $923,000 on jewelry in one day, multiple mansions, and a fleet of over 80 vehicles. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza stated that Mello's actions betrayed the trust of the government and harmed the intended beneficiaries of the funds. Her defense attorney mentioned her remorse and hope to reimburse the government through the sale of the purchased items. Mello has no plans to appeal the sentence.