Former director charged with theft
Program Funds Allegedly Taken
The former executive director of La Pasada Halfway House, a residential center for people in the federal criminal justice system, has been charged with taking money from programs receiving federal funds and with willful failure to a file tax return.
The former executive director of La Pasada Halfway House, a residential center for individuals in the federal criminal justice system, has been charged with taking money from programs receiving federal funds and with willful failure to a file tax return.
Robin Cash, 55, of Albuquerque has been summoned to appear in federal court in Albuquerque on Aug. 23, for arraignment.
La Pasada houses defendants awaiting trial and those who are re-entering society after serving a term of incarceration.
The federal District Court’s Pretrial Services Office contracted with the not-for-profit corporation that operates La Pasada to cover the costs of providing a custodial residential environment at a monthly rate of roughly $60,000 to $80,000, and La Pasada deposited the funds in its business bank account.
When Cash became executive director of La Pasada in April 2008 at an annual salary of about $45,000, she was added as a signatory on the business bank account and received a debit card for the account.
From September 2008 through January 2011, the indictment alleges, Cash made unauthorized debits to La Pasada’s account and used the proceeds for her own benefit, giving cash to her family members for services that were never provided to La Pasada; making ATM withdrawals at various Albuquerque locations, including casinos; and using the debit card for charges at casinos in Las Vegas, Nev.
In April 2010, Cash allegedly opened a checking account and bank account in the name of La Pasada without authorization, the indictment says, using it to take funds from residents at La Pasada on a regular basis and depositing the funds into the unauthorized account until February 2011. The diverted money was used to pay personal expenses, the indictment says.
Cash is charged with failing to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2008 when she had a gross income of approximately $46,104; in 2009 when she had a gross income of approximately $113,248; and in 2010, when she had a gross income of approximately $173,526.