Former Executive Director of a Crime Victim Shelter Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Embezzle DOJ Grant Funds

On November 18, 2020, a former Executive Director of Safe Place, Incorporated, a non-profit organization that aids victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, located in Dumas, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a federally funded program.  Heather Dawn Weidner pleaded guilty in the Northern District of Texas.  According to the factual statement in support of the guilty plea, from on or about a date unknown, but as early as June 2018, through in or about December 2018, Weidner conspired with others to embezzle approximately $8,478.16 in grant money funded by the Department of Justice Victims of Crimes Act for her personal use.  The investigation is being conducted by the OIG’s Dallas Field Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers Company “C.”