Missouri Charity Boss Faces Charges for $10M Embezzlement Aimed at Poor Children

Connie Bobo, the executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center in Bridgeton, Missouri, is on trial for allegedly embezzling about $10 to $11 million intended to feed low-income children through USDA-funded programs. Prosecutors claim she fraudulently submitted reimbursement claims for roughly $20 million, despite the nonprofit providing far fewer meals than reported, and diverted the funds to buy multiple mansions, properties for relatives, commercial real estate, and a luxury yellow Mercedes-Benz for her boyfriend, Howard Hughes III. Bobo is charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction of an official proceeding, with prosecutors highlighting her forged documents and false claims to conceal her actions. Her defense argues she did not intentionally break federal rules and attempted to rectify issues before her arrest, asserting her actions were motivated by community interests. The trial began in October 2025 and is expected to last about a week, with Bobo having rejected a plea deal offered weeks earlier. This case underscores the exploitation of taxpayer funds aimed at aiding vulnerable children during a critical period.