FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the conviction of Rashad Jajuan Harrison, 34, of Baltimore, Maryland, of felony theft scheme for submitting fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) related to funds from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Harrison submitted these fraudulent claims on behalf of his company, Bridge Links, a Baltimore-based non-profit organization that partnered with a West Baltimore youth program to provide snacks and dinner to students attending an afterschool program. Harrison sought reimbursement for dates when the youth program was not operating, such as weekends and holidays, and for three months when the afterschool program was remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus not serving any food. Harrison received fraudulent reimbursements of $82,116.27 from the State of Maryland. Harrison used the fraudulent reimbursement funds for his personal expenses, including spending $6,789.50 at the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore. Bridge Links is no longer associated with MSDE or CACFP.
On February 13, 2025, Harrison pleaded guilty to a felony theft scheme of $25,000-$100,000 before the Honorable Martin H. Schreiber II of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Schreiber sentenced Harrison to five years of incarceration, all suspended in favor of five years of supervised probation. As part of his supervised probation, Harrison was ordered to pay $82,116.27 in restitution to Maryland.
“Stealing from Maryland’s Child and Adult Care Food Program is an attack on our most vulnerable communities,” said Attorney General Brown. “We will relentlessly pursue those who exploit programs meant to help those in need.”
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alex Huggins, Investigative Auditor Amy Amy, and Assistant Attorneys General Ryan Cornell and Alyn Pearson, who prosecuted this case. Attorney General Brown also thanked the MSDE and CACFP program for their assistance in this investigation. Finally, Attorney General Brown thanked State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan Bates for his assistance with this prosecution.
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