Thibodaux Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from Federal Program
| U.S. Attorney’s Office April 21, 2009 |
NEW ORLEANS, LA—KENDRA JOSEPH, 31, a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to a one-count bill of information for theft from a program receiving federal funds relating to fraudulent applications for food stamps in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, in September 2005, while JOSEPH was employed by the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, she obtained disaster food stamps for friends, family members, and acquaintances who did not qualify for those benefits. In all, JOSEPH fraudulently obtained $8,679 from the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support.
JOSEPH faces a possible maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and is subject to a $250,0000 fine. Sentencing has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at 10:00 A.M.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman.