Head of Defunct School Charged with Federal Theft of Government Property

The former director of a controversial charter school in the Midlands now faces federal theft charges over government property, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

Benita Dinkins-Robinson has been charged with two counts of theft of government property while she ran the Mary L. Dinkins Higher Learning Academy, in Sumter and Beaufort. Allegedly, Dinkins-Robinson took government grants from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Education and used them for her own personal gain, without the authority to do so.

The two-count indictment alleges that, from 2007 to 2012, Dinkins-Robinson did “sell, convey, and dispose of money, that is, funding from the United States Department of Agriculture for various school food and nutrition programs, of the value in excess of $1,000.” Between 2010 and 2013, she allegedly did “sell, convey, and dispose money, that is, Title I, Title II, IDEA, and other funding from the United States Department of Education, of the value in excess of $1,000.”

The federal indictment for federal theft charges did not make the exact dollar amount public.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) began conducting an investigation into the school’s finances in the fall of 2012. After discovering some unusual money problems, the FBI became involved. The state revoked the grade school’s charter in early 2013 and ordered the school to close. However, Dinkins-Robinson continued to operate the school out of a church in Sumter.

Dr. Wayne Brazell, the state’s Public Charter School District superintendent, said he was shocked but not too surprised by the allegations of theft of government property.

“We had high hopes that we could help this school perform well,” said Brazell. “It’s an area that’s not had overall positive academic performance by students, so we really took this school on.”

Dr. Brazell says that Dinins-Robinson’s school has officially ceased operations.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Federal Theft such as Felony Theft, Wire Fraud, Grand Larceny, and Other Federal Charges

Our federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving:

• Fraudulent insurance claims
• Bond issuances and investment schemes
• Falsifying loan applications
• Check fraud schemes
• Bribes or kickbacks
• False advertising or misrepresentation in sales transactions
• making a false statement to a loan officer or bank official
• deceiving a bank
• falsifying loan documents
• check fraud
• forging check signatures
• ATM fraud
• Embezzlement

And other federal charges.

The Strom Law Firm, LLC has the experience that you need to defend your federal charges, whether you are charged with felony theft, grand larceny, embezzlement, kickbacks, or murder-for-hire.  Founded by former U.S. Attorney and assistant solicitor, Pete Strom, our experienced criminal defense attorneys include a former public defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, as well as a tax lawyer familiar with IRS investigations.  Our experience and familiarity with prosecutorial techniques provide the basis for experienced and effective legal representation. We will fight hard to have your charges reduced, or even dismissed. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case as well the most effective way to proceed with your case. 803.2523.4800