Here's the link to the September 2007 federal indictment in which former Dallas city council member James Fantroy was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Paul Quinn College. And why do we re-direct your attention this particular document? Because, in case you missed it, Fantroy's been on trial this week for embezzling the federal funds, a charge he has always denied. Only, according to The Dallas Morning News moments ago, a jury just found him guilty. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution. --Robert Wilonsky
Update: Fantroy's expected to be sentenced in May -- should be interesting, with the possibility of some of his former council colleagues taking the stand to testify on his behalf. Also, the complete story from The News. And after the jump, the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS PAUL QUINN COLLEGE BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER WITH EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT FROM THE COLLEGE
DALLAS - Following 20 minutes of deliberation, a federal jury in Dallas has convicted James L. Fantroy, Sr., a former Dallas City Council Member and a former member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Paul Quinn College Community Development Corporation (Paul Quinn CDC) in Dallas, on an indictment that charged him with one count of embezzlement and theft from a program receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Fantroy faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade on May 21, 2008.
In 1998, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Paul Quinn College for a $250,000 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant. The college hired Paul Quinn CDC to assist in administering the grant, which included the revitalization of the college's surrounding area. Paul Quinn College entered into a real estate management agreement with Paul Quinn CDC establishing Paul Quinn CDC as the manager of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, a property owned by Paul Quinn College. It required Paul Quinn CDC to deposit all rental receipts it collected, less any sums properly deducted or otherwise provided for in the agreement, into a trust account for the benefit of Paul Quinn College.
From August 2000 through June 7, 2002, Paul Quinn College received eight disbursements totaling approximately $222,853 from HUD, pursuant to the HBCU grant. During the one year period beginning April 1, 2003, Paul Quinn College received funds from a second HBCU grant, totaling more than $10,000.
The government presented evidence at trial that from April 26, 2003, through July 30, 2003, James L. Fantroy, Sr., acting as an agent for Paul Quinn College, embezzled approximately $21,000 in monies held in trust for Paul Quinn College.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marcus Busch and Tammy Reno.
