(The Center Square) — The former head of an Ohio faith-based nonprofit will spend more than a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple fraud and theft charges.
Thomas Ostrosky, 52, founded The Lazarus Experience in 2017, a Christian nonprofit aimed at helping formerly incarcerated men reintegrate into society. Prosecutors said Ostrosky instead used the organization to steal more than $200,000 from donors and nonprofit funds.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that Ostrosky received a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 13 years following his guilty plea last month. The nonprofit has since ceased operations.
According to Yost, Ostrosky’s actions not only involved financial theft but also deprived the community of a resource intended to help individuals seeking a second chance after incarceration.
In addition to his prison sentence, Ostrosky was ordered to pay $207,650 in restitution. He pleaded guilty to several felony charges, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft from a protected class, solicitation fraud, and telecommunications fraud.
A Lucas County grand jury indicted Ostrosky on April 14. He was arrested two days later in Dade City, Florida, and returned to Ohio to face prosecution.
