Former Arkansas employee pleads guilty in child-meal fraud

(AP) — A former Arkansas Department of Human Services employee has admitted in federal court that she accepted bribes to approve payments between $3.5 million and $9.5 million in federal funds to people she knew were dishonestly claiming to supply food for hungry children.

Kattie Jordan of Dermott, who was later added to the indictment, is serving a five-year prison sentence after admitting to paying bribes to Waits and Hatton in return for receiving $3.6 million in federal funds.

U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer says the feeding program fraud resulted in the theft of more than $10.5 million in funds designated for feeding disadvantaged children through summer and after-school nutrition programs.