DOJ Press Release: Colorado Man Sentenced for Defrauding Federally Funded Nonprofit
October 3, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – A Colorado man was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $242,210 in restitution for defrauding a nonprofit organization funded by federal agencies, in a scheme that resulted in over $240,000 in fraudulent payments.
According to court documents, Jeffrey Ham, 47, owned Timberline Environmental, LLC, an environmental restoration company. Ham’s co-defendant James Matison worked as the Program Director at WildEarth Guardians, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to protect and restore wildlife, natural resources, and ecosystems of the American west. WildEarth Guardians relies on funding primarily through grants that it receives either directly from federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), or indirectly via the State of New Mexico or other not-for-profit organizations.
Between February 2015 and April 2019, Ham conspired with Matison to generate and submit fraudulent invoices from Timberline Environmental for payment by WildEarth Guardians. These invoices were for hours not actually worked, and expenses not actually incurred.
To facilitate the scheme, Ham provided Matison with pre-signed blank checks from Timberline's account. Matison used these checks to transfer fraudulently obtained funds to accounts under his control, including an account associated with an Arizona company called Euro-American Development.
Prior to his arrest, Ham had attempted to make restitution by arranging an anonymous gift to WildEarth Guardians through his attorney.
Matison pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and remains on conditions of release pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for October 31, 2024. At sentencing, Matison faces up to twenty years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Inspector General, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General made the announcement today.
The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case.
*This press release was issued by the Department of Justice