The director of a Sarasota summer youth program has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.
Lyndon Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing almost $77,000 in federal funds. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Jones submitted duplicate billing for the hours worked by students in his summer program. One set of billings was sent to the administrator of a Community Development Block Grant which distributed the federal funds. The other set of billings was sent to the students' employers which included Sarasota Manatee Airport and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Jones' program, ManUp of Greater Sarasota, assisted Sarasota youth in developing leadership and professional skills.
