The administrator of a Philadelphia religious school and three others have been convicted of stealing more than $224,000 in federal money intended for adult education programs at a community college.
Faridah Ali, 55, the assistant education director of the private, 465-student Sister Clara Muhammad School, was convicted on Oct. 27 in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on charges of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and theft.
Federal authorities said Ms. Ali and three other defendants set up a scheme in which the school became a neighborhood site for courses offered by the Community College of Philadelphia. Between the fall of 1999 and December 2001, prosecutors said, the foursome stole money intended for rent, teachers’ salaries, and for courses that were never taught.
Some of the money was paid to two of Ms. Ali’s adult children, who also were convicted last month, along with Eugene Weaver III. His mother, Delores Weaver, was the director of adult basic education programs at the community college. She is being tried separately on similar charges.
U.S. District Judge John P. Fullam allowed the four to remain free on bond. They are scheduled to be sentenced in February.
