By George Copeland Jr. / Richmond Free Press

RVA Sister's Keeper former director Kia Player has pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to a homeless shelter for women and children that operated from 2022 to 2023.

The organization obtained over $995,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Richmond to implement and run the shelter. Player entered the plea agreement in the Eastern District Court of Virginia on Tuesday, a month after the U.S. Attorney's office charged her with wire fraud.

Prosecutors said that from August 2022 to April 2023, Player submitted 35 falsified invoices to the City of Richmond for reimbursement.

The invoices included 21 totaling over $170,000 for food services from the fictional "VCM Catering Services." In reality, Player had hired an acquaintance and a Richmond Public Schools cafeteria manager to provide meals from a school cafeteria.

She also submitted falsified invoices for laundry, bed bug treatment and cleaning services, and well as shelter renovations that were never performed. Prosecutors said Player spent at least $68,000 of the fraudulent funds on personal expenses, including a tattoo, furniture, a ferry ride in Miami Beach and veterinary services.

Player's fraud led to $199,163 in losses for HUD and Richmond. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 25 and could face up to 20 years in prison.

City Council President Cynthia Newbille did not respond to a request for comment.