Delco Woman Admits To Stealing Money From HIV Assistance Program

DREXEL HILL, PA — A Delaware County woman admitted in federal court to stealing funds from a meal program for sick and needy people that she managed as a contractor for the City of Philadelphia.

Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams Monday said Barbara Conway, 62, of Drexel Hill, pleaded guilty before with theft from a program receiving federal funds. Conway was charged in November last year.

Conway served as the Food Voucher Coordinator while employed by the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, a public health agency contracted with the City of Philadelphia to administer a food voucher program funded by the federal government.

While serving as the coordinator from 2015 through 2019, Conway stole more than $35,000 in food vouchers that were supposed to be distributed as part of an emergency assistance package to people living with HIV/AIDS.

This initiative is funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federal program that provides grants to states, cities, counties, and other local organizations to fund care and treatment services for individuals living with the disease.

"Stealing money from federally-funded programs will be met with swift and serious consequences," Williams said. "Appallingly, Barbara Conway victimized people who are already facing the incredibly challenging life circumstance of living with HIV/AIDS and who require emergency assistance to meet basic life necessities while they bravely fight to get well. Our Office will continue to hold public employees and contractors responsible for this type of egregious behavior."