Former East St. Louis Librarian and Public Aid Eligibility Assistant sentenced to prison for embezzling more than $100,000 from government employers

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - a district judge sentenced the former director of the East St. Louis Public Library to 15 months' imprisonment after she admitted to embezzling more than $100,000 from the East St. Louis Public Library and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Kenyada T. Harris, 42, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to eight counts for wire fraud, theft from federally funded programs, and bank fraud. Following imprisonment, she will serve two years on supervised release. The judge also ordered Harris to pay $102,249 in restitution.

"Those who abuse a position of trust and steal taxpayer funds must be held accountable," said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. "Public resources belong to the community, not to those who believe they are above the law."

According to court documents, between March 2022 and March 2023, Harris was employed as a Public Aid Eligibility Assistant at the St. Clair County Family Community Resource Center through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Harris was responsible for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged LINK cards and issuing new LINK cards to low-income IDHS customers to use to obtain food and cash assistance benefits. Instead of providing new customers with a LINK card, Harris would use the cards for herself, her family members and friends. Over the course of her scheme, records report that Harris used 98 distinct cards for her own personal gain. In total, her actions resulted in loss of over $10,000 to IDHS.

"Kenyada Harris abused the public's trust with decisions she made to help herself to money belonging to others," said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Steenson. "Her 15-month prison sentence represents the collective effort of several law enforcement agencies committed to bringing fraudsters to justice and holding them accountable."

Around March 2023, Harris began working at the East St. Louis City Library as the Library Director. From July 31, 2023 through June 6, 2024, Harris knowingly used the Library's credit card to make personal purchases, including to pay for her personal vehicle repairs and to obtain cash advances. Harris' actions resulted in a loss amount to the East St. Louis Public Library in the amount of $91,937.

"Public service is a privilege, not an opportunity for self-enrichment," said FBI Springfield Field Office's Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. "By diverting funds meant for essential library services and food assistance, the defendant prioritized her personal interests over the needs of her neighbors. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure public resources remain in the hands of citizens they are intended to serve."

FBI Springfield's Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.