Brooklyn Park Woman Accused of Devising Charity Theft Scheme That Stole $684K

A Brooklyn Park woman is charged with concocting a charity theft scheme to steal money from a Twin Cities nonprofit that works to help the homeless.

Clarissa Lynn Combs, 48, of Brooklyn Park is accused of devising the scheme against Catholic Charities.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Combs used to work at Catholic Charities. Prosecutors say she recruited coworkers, family and friends to pose as homeless clients to fraudulently obtain money from the charity.

The elaborate scheme went on between April 2012 and February 2019, the charges stated. The theft totaled at least $684,000 in charitable funds meant to help homeless people.

Combs is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. Others charged with fraud include: Jalonda Leeann Combs, 37, of Brooklyn Park; Bridgit Yvette Michaud, 54, of Minneapolis; and Audrey Sebiletta Heath, 34, of Woodbury.

To read the entire release, click here.

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