Columbia, S.C. — Ashley Clark Ingram, 35, of Columbia, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to theft of government funds, involving the misappropriation of over $500,000 from Habitat for Humanity of Central South Carolina and the United States Government.
While serving as the director of finance and operations for Habitat for Humanity, Ingram applied for an employee retention tax credit from the IRS on behalf of the nonprofit, without its knowledge. She received checks totaling $388,550.75 from the U.S. Treasury, deposited them into a Habitat for Humanity account she controlled, and subsequently transferred the funds into her personal bank accounts. In total, Ingram misappropriated approximately $514,672.37.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Ingram to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. Ingram was ordered to pay a remaining balance of $30,165.47 in restitution to Habitat for Humanity, which she rendered at sentencing. Additionally, she was fined $10,000 and assessed a $100 special fee.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews prosecuting.
Ingram had previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds in June 2024.
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