ST. LOUIS – The leader of a Missouri nonprofit admitted in federal court Tuesday to defrauding a state program intended to provide meals to low-income children, fraudulently claiming more than $2.3 million in reimbursements.
Cymone McClellan, 32, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Her plea agreement details how she and co-conspirator Terra Davis, 43, submitted false reimbursement claims to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) between January 2019 and June 2022 on behalf of their nonprofit, Sisters of Lavender Rose (S.O.L.R.).
Although McClellan and Davis claimed to have served 860,876 meals to low-income children, records show that McClellan purchased enough food and milk for fewer than one-quarter of those meals.
Fabricated Records and Misuse of Funds
To support the fraudulent claims, McClellan submitted fake sign-in sheets for meal distribution events and submitted false management plans to DHSS. These plans falsely stated that all state funds were used solely for meal provision and that no purchases over $5,000 had been made. She also falsely claimed that her nonprofit’s finance director had exclusive check-signing authority—despite that individual not being listed on the organization’s bank accounts.
Instead of spending the funds on food for children, McClellan diverted a significant portion of the money for personal use, including:
- $60,000 for a down payment on a home in Collinsville, Illinois
- $86,172 for a home in Florissant, Missouri
- Nearly $135,000 for five vehicles, including:
- 2021 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris van
- 2018 Lexus RX SUV
- 2012 Chevrolet Express G3500 van
- 2012 Ford E350 box truck
As part of her plea agreement, McClellan will forfeit the homes and vehicles purchased with fraud proceeds. She will also be required to repay the remaining stolen funds. Sentencing is scheduled for August 26.
Co-Conspirator Already Convicted
Terra Davis, McClellan’s second-in-command at S.O.L.R., pleaded guilty in December 2024 to the same charge of wire fraud conspiracy. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting.
Anyone with information related to COVID-19 or disaster relief fraud is encouraged to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at 866-720-5721, or to file a report online at justice.gov/disaster-fraud.
Picture for illustrative purposes only.
