Ten people have been indicted on charges of theft of federal program funding from Tuskegee University.

The university, located in Macon County, receives more than $10,000 annually in federal funding.

Those indicted are: Wanda Tyner Hairston, 51, of Auburn; Lora Regina Baker, 52, of Montgomery; Keyonn Dalarrion Cannon, 26, of Tuskegee; Lanequia Shanice Cooper, 29, of Auburn; Ledaryl Tremayne Johnson, 27, of Tuskegee; Jeanette Moss-Smith, 50, of Auburn; Cassandra Harris Parker, 61, of Tuskegee; Phyllis Vanessa Tyner, 57, of Auburn; Morris Gene Welch, of Auburn, Abraham Torbert Wright, Jr., 23, of Tuskegee.

All ten are charged with conspiracy to commit federal program theft.

The indictments were announced Monday by Middle District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross.

According to the indictment, Cassandra Harris Parker, Lora Regina Baker, Jeanette Moss-Smith, and Wanda Tyner Hairston were Tuskegee University employees during the time frame of the alleged conspiracy, which began at an unknown date and continued until 2020.

As purchasing manager, Ross said, Parker created purchase orders indicating money was owed to co-conspirators so that checks would be issued to them.

Baker worked in the Accounts Payable Department and entered the check requests into the university’s accounting system, causing the checks to be issued.

Moss-Smith signed the check request forms and Hairston assigned grant codes to the forms confirming sufficient funds existed to cover the checks.

Once issued, Parker delivered the checks to the co-conspirators.

The indictment alleges that Cannon, Cooper, Johnson, Tyner, Welch, and Wright, Jr., each cashed checks provided to them as part of the scheme.

Additionally, the indictment states the 10 suspects conspired to steal federal program funds through the wrongful issuance of these checks.

Parker, Baker, Moss-Smith, and Hairston are also charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

The conspiracy to commit federal program theft charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

Parker, Baker, Moss-Smith, and Hairston, also face sentences of up to 10 years for the charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds if convicted.

A trial date has been set for Aug. 12, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Moore is prosecuting.

“The United States Attorney’s Office considers the theft of federal dollars to be a serious crime,” Ross said. “My office will continue to prosecute those who exploit federal programs and who exploit the institutions, like Tuskegee University, entrusted with using federal program funds for their intended purposes.”

“This constitutes a flagrant misuse of federal grant funds for personal use,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala Miles with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.