Indiana Resident Pleads Guilty to Theft of Public Funds

Hammond, IN— Nicole Smith, 31, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich to 1 year of probation after pleading guilty to the felony misdemeanor of theft of government property. According to documents filed by the government in this case, Smith admitted that during the 2008-2009 academic school year at Purdue University-Calumet she submitted an application to receive federal funds for student aid and failed to report additional income received from Action for Children, which provides financial assistance for childcare for families living in the state of Illinois. This case was the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service-Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Houston.