Bond set for two who allegedly ran financial aid fraud scheme
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced last week that charges had been filed against a Roselle couple accused of stealing more than $200,000 from the College of DuPage (COD) in an elaborate scheme involving financial aid fraud.
Cedric Ramey, 40, and Mary Allen, 37, both of 811 Shawnee Trail in Roselle, appeared in Bond Court on April 26, where Judge Dieden set bond at $1 million with 10% to apply for Ramey and $500,000 with 10% to apply for Allen. Neither Ramey nor Allen is affiliated with the COD in any manner.
It is alleged that beginning in February, 2012, through May, 2014, the duo recruited friends to provide personal information that Ramey and Allen allegedly used to apply for admission to COD and for loans and grants from the Department of Education awarded through COD. It is further alleged that the recruits would then withdraw from the courses resulting in refunds of tuition balances returned to them either via check made payable to the recruit or electronic deposit into the recruit’s bank account. It is also alleged that the recruits would then split the refund with Ramey and Allen. The couple’s alleged scheme began to unravel in 2013 when an individual reported that she had received a tuition bill from COD but she had never attended the college. An investigation led by the College of DuPage Police Department with assistance from the State’s Attorney’s Financial Crimes Unit led to Ramey and Allen. In all, it is alleged that the pair stole $205,580.
“Not only did the alleged actions of Mr. Ramey and Ms. Allen cost the College of DuPage hundreds of thousands of dollars, their actions may have also hindered other students with a legitimate need in their search of financial aid,” Berlin said.
A DuPage County Grand Jury returned a 20-count indictment against both Ramey and Allen. The most serious charge against each defendant is Theft Over $100,000 From a School or Place of Worship, a Class X Felony. Their next court appearance is scheduled for May 22, in front of Judge Robert Miller.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
