Two fraud suspects sentenced to five years

ALBANY, Ga. — A negotiated plea bargain sent two women to prison and required more than $117,000 in restitution from each, a Dougherty County court official stated.

“They recruited members of their church to collect payroll checks from their employer,” said Assistant District Attorney Arkesia Jenkins. “They got $100 and the rest of the pay went to the two women.”

Hijuna Florence and Chandra Reid, also known as Chandra Thomas, were sentenced by Superior Court Judge Stephen Goss Tuesday after pleading guilty to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations charges.

“They operated from October 2006 until September 2010,” Jenkins said. “I doubt the Hendersons (owners of J.R. Loving Care, a home health care business where the two women operated their scam) will ever see all their money back.”