Former Collinwood Development Director Sentenced For Theft!

FEATURED PHOTO: CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR MICHAEL O’MALLEY

Patch.com, By Chris Mosby, Posted October 13th 2020

The former director of the Collingwood and Nottingham Villages Development Corporation was sentenced to prison on Monday.

Tamiko Parker, 47, was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds . She was also ordered to pay $164,120 in restitution.

“This defendant was put in a position of public trust, charged with helping to lead a neighborhood to further prosperity,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Instead of using her position for the public good, this defendant chose to enrich herself with public dollars and spend lavishly on trips and home furnishings.

Between 2014 and 2016, Parker was the executive director of the Collinwood and Nottingham Villages Development Corporation, a nonprofit firm which focused on developing property on the northeast side of Cleveland.

In her role as director, Parker had access to the firm’s bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, statements and checks.

Prosecutors said Parker made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the firm’s accounts, had checks issued to her instead instead of the firm, and used credit and debit cards to pay her expenses.

Court documents said Parker used the firm’s debt card to make purchases at Harley Davidson, the Horseshoe Casino, Victoria’s Secret and at stores in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. She also used the firm’s credit card to buy appliances for her home from Home Depot, a car from a dealership in Michigan (for $19,080), and collected cash rental payments from tenants, prosecutors said.

Due to Parker’s schemes, prosecutors said, the development corporation lost more than $195,000.

“These stolen funds were designated to improve and assist the Collinwood community,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “She’s a serial thief who deserves every day of her 33-