Topeka man uses federal grant funds as shopping money

TOPEKA, KAN. - A former employee of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) pleaded guilty to misapplying thousands of dollars the tribe received in federal grants and using the money to purchase sports memorabilia.

According to court documents, Matthew Waits, 41, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of federal grant funds.
Waits previously worked for the PBPN as manager and program director of the Diabetes Prevention Program. In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) / Indian Health Service awarded federal grants and assistance to the tribe. Waits misapplied more than $5,000 in grant money by using it to buy sports memorabilia, which is not an authorized purchase under the rules of the grant and in violation of federal law.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

"Diabetes patients are susceptible to long-term damage to their heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. It was the defendant's job to teach people how to avoid this chronic disease. Waits took money intended to help save lives and used it to purchase materials to enhance his hobby shop that sold collectables such as Pokemon cards and sports memorabilia," said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (HHS - OIG) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Maag and Lindsey Debenham are prosecuting the case.

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