The first defendant to be sentenced in Mississippi’s massive welfare misspending scandal headed to prison Monday on a one-year sentence, though she might not remain in custody the whole time.
Anne McGrew, who was the accountant for a nonprofit organization at the center of the scheme, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in 2021 for her role in moving federal money and altering ledgers to cover up the illegal transfers. Officials used the organization, Mississippi Community Education Center, to steer tens of millions of dollars from a federal anti-poverty program to their friends and family and to the pet projects of famous athletes.
McGrew’s conspiracy charge came with a maximum sentence of five years. Hinds County Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten on Monday sentenced the 69-year-old McGrew to serve one year in prison – which could amount to three months under state guidelines that allow nonviolent offenders the possibility of parole after serving 25% of their sentence – followed by four years of house arrest…