Abdur Rahim Islam, the head of famed R&B producer Kenny Gamble’s Philadelphia-based housing and education nonprofit, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization. Islam used the stolen funds for luxurious Caribbean vacations and other personal expenses.
Judge’s Leniency Amidst Serious Charges
A tearful Islam received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh, who also mandated restitution and three years of supervised release. Despite the severity of the crimes, Islam avoided the government’s recommended 12 to 15-year sentence due to his age and health issues.
“Cases like this, involving an abuse of trust, are sadly all too common,” Judge McHugh remarked. “It’s a sad reality in our public life that idealism gives way to entitlement. Islam’s actions amounted to a betrayal of children, trusted colleagues, and benefactors, as well as himself.”
Philly Charter School Embezzlement : A Public Apology and an Emotional Plea
Before his sentencing, Islam expressed remorse and accepted full responsibility for his actions. He, along with Universal Companies CFO Shahied Dawan, was convicted in March for the embezzlement scheme. Dawan received a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence last week.