A Jefferson Parish woman has entered a guilty plea to charges of wire fraud and identity theft in a federal court. Jelissa Lacour, 36, admitted involvement in a scheme that exploited financial relief programs designed to assist those hit hard by the economic knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Attorney's Office reports.
According to information presented in court documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office detailed that Lacour employed falsified tax forms, to obtain multiple Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. She further secured Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds by using, the names of alleged renters—some of whom were in cahoots to profit from the fraudulent claims, while others had their identities misappropriated without consent.
The sentence for Lacour could be severe. Under the law, she is staring down the possibility of up to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release for each charge of wire fraud. The aggravated identity theft counts could add a consecutive two years of imprisonment and a year of supervised release for each conviction. To say nothing of the up to $250,000 in fines for each count and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Lacour's case, investigated by the FBI and handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon, highlights the effort to punish those who steal funds meant for people in need. She will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, who accepted her guilty plea. Her case is a clear reminder of the importance of staying alert to fraud, especially during national crises, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
