Homestead Martial Arts School Accused Of Billing $300K For 'Ghost Children'

Felony charges were filled against a Homestead martial arts academy and its program director for alleged theft and organized schemes, NBC Miami reported on Wednesday (September 30).

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said Kelly Mendoza Regalado, the program director of United Martial Arts Academy, Inc. (UMMA), falsely billed the organization nearly $300,000 for "ghost children" and "ghost employees" who never worked for or attended the academy.

Charges against Regalado and her business include organized scheme to defraud and grand theft, according to officials.

"The Children’s Trust affords program grants aimed at serving the children and families of Miami-Dade by providing various services, particularly focusing on neighborhoods with the highest rates of poverty," NBC Miami reported.

Regalado oversaw UMMA's administrative affairs, including grant application and compliance, and invoicing the Children’s Trust, authorities added.

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said these alleged actions hurts the children who benefit from Children's Trust.

"Miami-Dade taxpayers created The Children’s Trust to better the lives of our community’s at-risk children," she said. "The alleged theft of Children’s Trust funds hurts those kids who need help the most. The Children’s Trust deserves credit for bringing this matter to the attention of investigators and prosecutors who always work together to preserve taxpayer monies."

There are no arrest records for Regalado, nor was any attorney information available for her, according to NBC Miami.

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