A Newburgh woman who garnered attention with tales of supporting homeless veterans but was later exposed for fraudulent activities, has been sentenced for wire fraud and stolen valor. Sharon Toney-Finch, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of the Yerik Israel Toney Foundation (YIT Foundation), falsely claimed to be a Purple Heart recipient to solicit funds for her purported charity, which allegedly aimed to assist premature babies and veterans in need. However, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Toney-Finch largely used those donations for personal luxuries including a BMW, a gym membership, and dining and travel expenses.
According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, the misconduct is "appalling" and dishonors fellow veterans. "Sharon Toney-Finch falsely claimed to be a Purple Heart recipient and used her foundation to defraud donors and others induced by that lie," Clayton said. As detailed in the indictment, Toney-Finch's fraudulent activities enabled her to obtain approximately $85,000 by exploiting the charitable inclinations of individuals and foundations committed to aiding veterans. In one incident in June 2022, she convinced a local foundation to grant her $10,000 for the construction of housing for homeless veterans, only to divert these funds to cover personal expenses instead, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The deceit extended to public claims about aiding veterans displaced for incoming migrants, which led to significant donations under false pretenses. Toney-Finch's falsified heroics included doctored military discharge papers and a tale of surviving an explosive attack in Iraq, stories that bolstered her credibility and, subsequently, her ability to extract money from sympathetic donors. Her sentencing includes 12 months and one day in prison, three years of supervised release, and orders for restitution and forfeiture totaling $169,000.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Hudson Valley White Collar Crime Task Force, along with the Orange County District Attorney's Office, were praiseworthy, in Clayton's words, for their exemplary work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison, and Margaret N. Vasu led the prosecution, underscoring the government's intent to aggressively pursue those who falsely invoke military service and sacrifice for personal gain. As justice catches up to Toney-Finch, the community reflects on the actual heroes whose valor she so casually appropriated for her own enrichment.
