07/06/09: WNY Woman Faces 14 Felonies in UN Radio Project

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 07/06/09
The U.S. Attorney’s office is looking to clear the air after a Western New York woman is accused of misusing money intended for a radio station.
When the United Nations granted Deborah Bowers $350,000 to start up a radio station they never expected her to pocket some of the funds.
According to a 20 plus page indictment, Bower’s is accused of using some money intended for the radio Almahaba Project for her own personal use. She pleaded not guilty earlier today in U.S. district court.
The U.S. attorney’s office charged Bowers with 14 felonies, including money laundering and lying to federal agents.
“When UNIFEM asked for an accounting of how they had spent the $350,000 grant they fraudulently told the un in an email that they had spent the entire amount on the radio station when in fact they had not. They did not detail the payments they had used to pay off personal property taxes, personal loans and personal credit cards,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Lynch.
Bowers’ lawyer, Mark Mahoney, says the money went to reimburse Bowers and an Iraqi-American business associate for station-related expenditures.
Bowers is listed along with Steve Jabar as codefendants in the indictment. He also faces charges
The amount in question isn’t specified, but prosecutors say they’ll seek $65,000 in reimbursement if they win the case.