Connie Bobo Accused of $10 Million Food Fraud: St. Louis Charity Boss Spent Federal Funds on Mansions and Boyfriend’s Yellow Mercedes [PHOTOS]

A St. Louis charity executive, Connie Bobo, 46, stands trial over allegations that she misappropriated more than $10 million in federal funds meant to feed low-income children — instead using the money to buy luxury homes, commercial real estate, and a bright yellow Mercedes-Benz for her boyfriend.

Federal prosecutors say Bobo, who led the New Heights Community Resource Center in Bridgeton, Missouri, defrauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture by claiming reimbursement for millions of meals that were never served. Between February 2019 and March 2022, her nonprofit received nearly $11 million in payments from two USDA programs designed to support food distribution to families in need.

According to the indictment, Bobo submitted false claims asserting that New Heights provided almost six million meals, when in fact the organization had purchased only enough food and milk to cover fewer than three million. Prosecutors allege she used the excess funds to buy a $1 million mansion in St. Charles County, properties for relatives, and over $2.2 million in commercial real estate investments.

 

Court filings further claim that Bobo gave $1.4 million to her romantic partner, Howard Hughes III, who spent $211,907 of it on a luxury Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon 4x4 Squared. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow told jurors that Bobo “used forged documents to conceal her crimes” and even listed family and friends as board members without their knowledge to make the nonprofit appear legitimate.

During testimony, former friend Dacia Betts said she discovered she had been named vice president of New Heights only after the FBI contacted her. “I never agreed to serve on the board,” she testified, describing how Bobo discussed business matters at family events but never sought formal approval.

In addition to running New Heights, Bobo owned Infinite Wisdom Early Childhood Center, a daycare business in Missouri. Prosecutors allege that after her indictment in October 2023, Bobo continued to access the daycare’s financial accounts in violation of court orders. When FBI agents attempted to arrest her, she allegedly refused to cooperate and was captured after a two-hour standoff at her home.

Bobo reportedly rejected a plea deal three weeks ago, insisting she had done nothing wrong. Her attorney argues that she did not intentionally violate federal rules and had tried to correct accounting issues before her arrest, claiming her actions were “in the best interest of the community.”

The trial, which began Tuesday in St. Louis, is expected to last into next week. If convicted on charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction of an official proceeding, Bobo faces over 20 years in federal prison and the forfeiture of her properties and assets.