Daycare owner pleads guilty to fraud after money used for Cadillac Escalade

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) -- A Kansas City day care owner pleads guilty after she submitted false information about the children in her care to collect government funding.

Patricia L. Johnson-Rushing, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money, one count of benefits fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Johnson-Rushing admitted she received $83,394 in public funding through her childcare center, Granny’s Pray & Play, located near East 27th Street and Cleveland. Federal prosecutors said she didn’t quality for the aid.

Prosecutors said Johnson-Rushing intentionally gave the Missouri Department of Social Services false information to collect payments from a federal grant program. The program is used to help low-income families get access to early care and after-school programs.

Six children adopted by Johnson-Rushing and her husband were approved to receive the childcare subsidy for full time care, which is illegal, according to court documents. The documents show the family received $83,394 due to the fraudulent information filed by Johnson-Rushing.

Court documents show Johnson-Rushing used $15,000 of the funds toward the purchase of a Cadillac Escalade.

She also admitted participating in a conspiracy when she failed to pay $154,186 to the government in federal income tax and FICA contributions collected from the paychecks of her employees.

Finally, Johnson-Rushing also admitted she submitted false information to qualify for more than $12,000 in food stamps.

Six children adopted by Johnson-Rushing and her husband were approved to receive the childcare subsidy for full time care, which is illegal, according to court documents. The documents show the family received $83,394 due to the fraudulent information filed by Johnson-Rushing.

Court documents show Johnson-Rushing used $15,000 of the funds toward the purchase of a Cadillac Escalade.

She also admitted participating in a conspiracy when she failed to pay $154,186 to the government in federal income tax and FICA contributions collected from the paychecks of her employees.

Finally, Johnson-Rushing also admitted she submitted false information to qualify for more than $12,000 in food stamps.

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