The former director of a nonprofit organization focused on prison re-entry has been sentenced to 10-13 years in prison for stealing more than $200,000 from the group and its donors. The announcement was made by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
“He didn’t just steal money – he deprived the community of a helping hand for inmates seeking a fresh start as law-abiding citizens,” Yost said. “Now, it’s his turn to pay a debt to society.”
Thomas Ostrosky, 52, received his sentence after pleading guilty on November 12 to several felony charges. These included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft from a person in a protected class, solicitation fraud, and telecommunications fraud.
In addition to serving time in prison, Ostrosky is required to pay $207,650 in restitution. The Attorney General’s Office will distribute these funds for charitable purposes. He is also prohibited from holding any position of trust or managing financial affairs for others.
Ostrosky was indicted earlier this year and arrested in Dade City, Florida following an investigation led by the Charitable Law Section of the Attorney General’s Office. The charges are related to his management of the Lazarus Experience, a nonprofit founded by Ostrosky in 2017 that provided re-entry services for incarcerated men in northwest Ohio before ceasing operations.
The Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office assigned prosecution duties to Yost’s Charitable Law Section.
Anyone who suspects misuse of charitable funds or fraudulent fundraising can contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or through their website at charitable.ohioago.gov.
