A Richmond woman has been sentenced to three years in prison for wire fraud related to her management of a homeless shelter for women and children.
Court documents state that Kia A. Player, 41, secured a grant to run RVA Sister’s Keeper, an inclement weather shelter in the Richmond area. The shelter received over $995,000 in government funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Richmond.
Between August 2022 and April 2023, Player created at least 35 false invoices for expenses she claimed were made on behalf of RVA Sister’s Keeper. These invoices were submitted to the City of Richmond for reimbursement, resulting in improper disbursement of funds.
One example involved Player submitting at least 21 inflated invoices stating that “VCM Catering Services” provided meals at the shelter. Investigators found that VCM Catering Services did not exist; instead, Player hired a family member who worked as a cafeteria manager at a local public school. Food provided to residents sometimes came from the school cafeteria—food already purchased with public funds—and was occasionally expired.
Player also fabricated an invoice showing payment for roof repairs at the shelter but kept the money herself while the roof continued to leak. She created fake documentation for laundry services and bed bug treatments that either occurred less frequently than claimed or did not happen at all. As a result of these actions, HUD and the City of Richmond lost $199,163.
The investigation revealed that Player used some of the stolen funds for personal expenses such as tattoos, airline tickets, luxury travel in Miami Beach, furniture, and antiques.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division and HUD’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth prosecuted the case with significant assistance from the City of Richmond.
“This press release is available on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia,” according to officials. “Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-146.”
