DALLAS - The former chief financial officer of a Dallas nonprofit that provides mental health services has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for embezzling more than $2 million from the organization over approximately seven years.
Jeffrey Scott Keehn, 55, of Imperial Beach, California, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he stole $2,109,786.56 from the Child and Family Guidance Center.
U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Keehn on Wednesday to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $2,109,786.56 in restitution.
According to court documents, Keehn used his position as CFO to secretly access the nonprofit's checkbook, forge signatures and deposit fraudulent checks into his personal bank accounts.
Prosecutors said Keehn concealed the theft by falsifying entries in QuickBooks and misrepresenting how much cash the organization had available.
The scheme continued for about seven years.
Federal authorities recovered approximately $800,000 in assets during the investigation and forfeiture proceedings. The seized property included multiple bank accounts, precious metals, a vehicle and Keehn's interest in a condominium in Oceanside, California.
Representatives of the Child and Family Guidance Center addressed the court during Keehn's sentencing, describing how the theft affected an organization that provides mental health services to people who cannot afford care.
They told the court the damage extended beyond the money that was stolen. The organization was required to conduct extensive forensic audits and devote resources to determining the extent of losses that had been concealed for years.
"Mr. Keehn's fraud didn't just drain the charity's finances; it forced them to divert time and resources away from their mission," U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said.
The FBI's Dallas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marty Basu prosecuted.
