LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A former Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointee and professor at Aquinas College who complained about “structural racism” since migrating to Michigan from Nigeria is facing two decades in prison after pleading guilty in December to wire fraud and stealing more than $1 million from an early education nonprofit.

In addition, Nkechy Ezeh’s theft forced the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), a group she founded, to close in 2023. It funded and supported organizations designed to help children in poor communities in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek. According to court documents, the ELNC paid for children to have breakfast, lunch and transportation to and from preschool, helping 8,000 children during its tenure. Ezeh admitted using stolen money for trips to Hawaii, Liberia and Nigeria.

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Amy DeLeeuw, president and treasurer of ELNC, made a statement to the media, saying she is “disappointed by Nkechy Ezeh’s failure to meaningfully articulate the nature and scope of her criminal misconduct during her change of plea hearing,” she said, referencing the children and services impacted by Ezeh’s actions. “Her theft of millions of dollars intended for the most vulnerable of children was brazen, all-encompassing and unconscionable,” DeLeeuw said.

She added that Nkechy has not made an effort to repay the money she stole. “I and the board will have more to say in our victim impact statement and look forward to her sentencing hearing on May 13,” DeLeeuw said.

Ezeh could face up to 20 years in prison for the fraud charge and another five years for tax evasion.