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Content Tagged As fraud

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  • Deputies looking for EBR Housing Authority employee accused of pocketing security deposits

    September 14, 2023 6:19 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Police are looking to arrest an East Baton Rouge Housing Authority employee accused of taking money orders that were supposed to be put toward housing deposits. Mikeshia Stewart, 34, faces one count of malfeasance in office and three counts of theft after her employer, the East... more »
  • 16 arrested, 18 still wanted in multimillion dollar auto fraud bust

    July 28, 2023 1:09 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Police announced the arrest of 16 people for selling more than 100 vehicles using fake or altered documents. Warrants were issued for another 18 suspects. According to a press release, at least 34 suspects were selling stolen cars with forged paperwork that undervalued the... more »
  • Insurance fraud a multi-billion dollar industry, team works to protect members Play Video

    June 20, 2023 4:48 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Healthcare insurance fraud is a multi-billion dollar industry. At Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana there is a group of 14 people that make up the company's fraud team. That group takes calls, investigates schemes, and gets answers. Kandyce Cowart is the manager of special investigations at... more »
  • Caretaker accused of exploiting wealthy BR man now facing charges in Denham Springs fraud case Play Video

    June 19, 2023 5:04 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The caretaker of a wealthy man who has been accused of exploiting him is also a suspect in a fraud case in Livingston Parish. An indictment accuses Melba Braud of changing the will of a man she was looking after 20 days before his death. That... more »
  • COVID-19 fraud scheme targets Medicare recipients Play Video

    June 13, 2023 4:43 PM

    AMITE - A scam that's been going on for months has one Medicare recipient taking notice. David Bryant contacted 2 On Your Side when he started noticing bogus charges for COVID-19 test kits on his medical statements. "One doctor was out of Texas, one doctor was out of north... more »
  • Governor says not enough signatures to trigger recall election for New Orleans mayor

    March 21, 2023 12:49 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards said an effort to recall New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell did not garner enough legitimate signatures to trigger a special recall election. The statement from the governor's office came just hours after boxes full of signatures were dropped off at the State... more »
  • Man sent to federal prison for stealing over $50K from elderly veteran

    June 13, 2022 1:51 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A man was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after it was discovered he had defrauded an elderly veteran of almost $51,000. A U.S. District Judge found Shawn Phillips, 44, guilty of wire fraud after he allegedly befriended the veteran and, over a 16-month period,... more »
  • Livingston Parish contractor arrested for home improvement fraud from Ida

    May 11, 2022 6:01 PM

    LIVINGSTON PARISH - A man was arrested Wednesday for contractor fraud dating back to Sept. 9, 2021, after Hurricane Ida. The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Chester Lempitsky was charged with home improvement fraud after being contracted to fix hurricane damage. Lempitsky was released on a $25,000 bond... more »
  • Contractor booked for fraud amid complaints to 2 On Your Side

    December 28, 2021 6:17 PM

    DENHAM SPRINGS - A contractor accused of defrauding customers out of thousands of dollars was arrested after several complaints to 2 On Your Side. Daniel Scott Tompkins was booked into the Livingston Parish jail for home improvement fraud. The victim told WBRZ last week that he found Tompkins... more »
  • Warrant issued for Livingston Parish contractor accused of fraud Play Video

    December 22, 2021 11:14 PM

    DENHAM SPRINGS - A contractor whose license was suspended earlier this year has had a warrant issued for his arrest in a fraud case, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said. WBRZ received several complaints about Daniel Scott Tompkins of Tompkins All Purpose Construction, LLC one day after reporting a... more »
  • Ascension woman gets prison time after using 'Boss Lady Suits' business to swindle PPP money

    December 21, 2021 5:01 PM

    PRAIRIEVILLE - A woman who stole nearly $150,000 in COVID relief money for businesses was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Federal prosecutors said April Falgoust, 46, was sentenced at federal court in Baton Rouge following an investigation into fraudulent small business assistance claims amid the pandemic. Falgoust... more »
  • Woman accused of stealing $33k from Louisiana Workforce Commission

    November 17, 2021 12:53 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A 27-year-old Baton Rouge woman is behind bars for allegedly stealing approximately $33,000 in unemployment benefits from the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). Deputies with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office (EBRSO) say Cinnamon Latrice Jordan obtained the money using fraudulent means between January of 2020... more »
  • FEMA reps in parishes with no damage, sheriff says citizens are concerned Play Video

    October 14, 2021 6:26 PM

    BATON ROUGE - There are dozens, probably many more, of FEMA fraud complaints under investigation. It's unlikely anyone will be able to stop the scammers stealing people's names and filing phony disaster claims. One sheriff is fed up and has a message about just how out of control it has... more »
  • Growing concerns over FEMA fraud, scammers pretending to be victims Play Video

    October 7, 2021 6:00 PM

    ST. GABRIEL - There's growing concern over FEMA fraud after Hurricane Ida. Wednesday, 2 On Your Side told you about a FEMA claim filed with someone's name and address, but the wrong phone number. That person never filed a claim and reported it as fraud when FEMA went to... more »
  • FEMA disaster fraud catches one woman by surprise, others could be victims Play Video

    October 6, 2021 6:26 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Fraud follows disasters and Hurricane Ida is no different. Some people are finding out that someone is using their names to sign-up for FEMA disaster assistance. One woman, who does not want to be identified, found out it happened to her when FEMA knocked on her... more »
  • Three former NFL players plead guilty in multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme

    September 8, 2021 8:22 AM

    Clinton Portis is one of three former NFL players who have pleaded guilty for their participation in a nationwide scheme to defraud a health care program for retired NFL players According to CNN , two-time Pro Bowl running back Portis joined Tamarick Vanover and Robert McCune in admitting to... more »
  • Court permanently bars Louisiana woman from working as tax preparer

    August 26, 2021 4:39 AM

    BATON ROUGE – A state court has permanently banned a Metairie woman from working as a tax preparer in Louisiana. Brischea Bowman Johnson has been identified as the former tax preparer who was arrested in 2020. She was apprehended after an investigation revealed she submitted false tax returns... more »
  • Mayor used campaign funds to pay for part of daughter's wedding

    July 10, 2021 7:37 PM

    ROMULUS Mich. - A mayor has defended himself after being investigated for using campaign funds to pay for some of his daughter's wedding, saying it doubled as a campaign event. Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff said he used $4,500 from campaign funds to cover the tab for an open bar,... more »
  • Former prosecutor among handful indicted in money laundering scheme Play Video

    July 9, 2021 5:39 PM

    PORT ALLEN – A former military judicial officer and state fraud prosecutor was among a handful of people indicted in a corruption investigation Friday. A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted a group of people on charges related to allegations they funneled more than $800,000 in government money... more »
  • La. Dept. of Education employee arrested, fired for allegedly stealing over $74k

    June 9, 2021 8:36 AM

    BATON ROUGE - A former state employee responsible for ensuring that Louisiana's child care providers had the funds necessary to operate amid the pandemic reportedly stole over $74,000 from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), officials say. According to arrest records, 47-year-old Romney Manuel, a former program consultant with... more »
  • Man allegedly killed wife, submitted presidential election ballot in her name

    May 14, 2021 6:59 PM

    SALIDA, Colorado - A man arrested earlier this month in his wife's murder is now accused of voting more than once in the 2020 presidential election using her name. Barry Morphew, 53, is charged with felony forgery and offenses related to mail ballots. Morphew was previously arrested May... more »
  • Former captain with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office charged with embezzlement

    May 14, 2021 12:47 PM

    TANGIPAHOA PARISH - A man who served as a captain with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and was employed by the entity for close to eight years has been charged with fraud and embezzlement shortly after resigning from his post. According to Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern... more »
  • Two caught selling fake Louisiana vehicle inspection stickers on Facebook

    May 13, 2021 4:16 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Two people were arrested Thursday for allegedly running a scheme that centered around selling phony Louisiana vehicle inspection stickers and temporary license plates on social media. Louisiana State Police reported 30-year-old Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and 34-year-old Yakevia Hicks of New Orleans were both taken... more »
  • Former Obama White House advisor arrested on accusations of fraud, money laundering

    April 28, 2021 6:32 AM

    MANHATTAN, NY - A former White House advisor and spouse to a well-known national news anchor was arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering. Seth Andrew, husband to CBS News anchor Lana Zak and former education advisor in the Obama White House, found himself under arrest on Tuesday,... more »
  • PPP loan taken out in business owner's name without their knowledge Play Video

    April 26, 2021 6:35 PM

    DENHAM SPRINGS - Some strange money games are happening in Livingston Parish. An area business owner finding herself listed as having a PPP loan, even though she hasn't received the money. Now, Brittany Hopkins is afraid she'll have to pay back thousands of dollars she doesn't have and is... more »
  • Unemployment issues continue; LWC says backlog is zero Play Video

    February 8, 2021 6:04 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Friday, the Louisiana Workforce Commission published a news release that said the 30,000 identity verification backlog reported on January 8 has been cleared. Last week, over the weekend and into Monday, 2 On Your Side continued to receive emails and calls from claimants waiting to hear back... more »
  • More unemployment complaints fill On Your Side inbox; La. reports thousands more seeking aid Play Video

    January 15, 2021 7:16 PM

    BATON ROUGE - It has been a week since the Louisiana Workforce Commission held a Zoom news conference about hiring more people to answer calls and approve claimants. This week, 2 On Your Side has been inundated with emails and calls from people who all have similar stories. Thursday,... more »
  • Client upset over contractor taking nearly 2 years to finish job Play Video

    January 12, 2021 7:19 PM

    CENTREVILLE, Ms. - A Baton Rouge contractor is being accused of taking for a job and not completing work. This isn't the first time Edmund LeBlanc has been the focus of a WBRZ report . John Alexander says he entered into a $62,000 contract with On the Geaux Home... more »
  • Mounting fraud claims taking time to vet, leaving unemployed in tough position Play Video

    December 16, 2020 6:21 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Last month, the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced it had received a sharp increase in fraudulent claims and would be halting payments on new claims until they could be vetted. Chris Defiore is one of the thousands in Louisiana caught up in the mess. His unemployment claim... more »
  • Report: Fake electors tried to deliver Arizona's 11 votes for President Trump

    December 14, 2020 10:13 PM

    PHOENIX - A group in Arizona allegedly sent notarized documents to the National Archives in Washington D.C. in an attempt to falsely deliver the state's 11 electoral votes for President Donald Trump. The Arizona Republic reports the group 'AZ Protect the Vote' claimed to represent the "sovereign citizens of... more »
  • La. stops, delays some unemployment payouts amid wave of fraud Play Video

    November 25, 2020 3:49 PM

    BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Workforce Commission is reviewing thousands of claims for unemployment over concern of fraudulent activity. As the state steps up its verification, it warned Wednesday, some people awaiting unemployment benefits may notice a delay in payments. Additionally, people applying for unemployment will now be asked... more »
  • Microsoft eliminates extensive hacking operation, calling it a possible threat to 2020 election

    October 12, 2020 10:14 AM

    Microsoft took down a massive hacking operation that it believes had the ability to indirectly impact election infrastructure if allowed to continue, CNN reports. Microsoft announced Monday that an extensive malware network called Trickbot was being used by criminals to launch cyberattacks. According to CNN, Microsoft secured a... more »
  • FEMA warns Hurricane Laura survivors to remain on alert for disaster fraud, scams

    October 6, 2020 6:20 AM

    BATON ROUGE — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a warning to the public Monday, advising Louisiana's residents to be on guard against scammers seeking to take advantage of hurricane survivors. FEMA said that after a disaster it's not uncommon for the unscrupulous to pose as official disaster... more »
  • Unlicensed caregiver of incapacitated elderly man arrested for theft of thousands of dollars

    September 24, 2020 10:09 AM

    An unlicensed caregiver from Craigslist was arrested and accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly and incapacitated 89-year-old man, ABC reports. The suspect, 51-year-old Christine Garthright was arrested and taken into custody on Sept. 23 after a four-month investigation by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) in... more »
  • Officials: Grieving son discovers his late mother's caregiver stole over $6,000 from her

    September 4, 2020 8:52 AM

    BATON ROUGE - A son who recently lost his mother in death told detectives with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office that his late mother's caregiver had been stealing her checks and forging his mother's signature in attempts to steal the older woman's money. In an official report,... more »
  • Fraudulent charge shows up same day shopping membership is deactivated Play Video

    May 19, 2020 6:55 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A man found a bogus charge on his bank statement and soon realized he wasn't alone. "It sounded like I wasn't the only person this had happened to," Jody Cataldo said. Over the years, Cataldo says he's rarely used his Sam's Club membership, but after... more »
  • Con artists target EBR residents with jury duty phone scam

    May 19, 2020 6:29 AM

    BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a recurring phone scam that's once again, crept into the parish. Scam artists are calling residents, posing as Sheriff's Deputies, or other law enforcement agents, and telling victims they've missed federal jury duty and can avoid... more »
  • How to report fraud related to the coronavirus Play Video

    March 26, 2020 6:21 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Scammers might see a time like the coronavirus crisis as a prime opportunity to prey on people. The United States Department of Justice announced Monday it's making it a top priority to crack down on scams related to the coronavirus. U.S. Attorney for the Middle District... more »
  • Better Business Bureau warns consumers about coronavirus scams Play Video

    March 19, 2020 12:16 PM

    South Louisiana - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry released a video reminding consumers to not give out personal information to individuals selling fake cures and raising money for fake charities. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of South Central Louisiana has issued a warning regarding scams centered around the outbreak... more »
  • Fired truancy employees accused of theft, await court appearance

    February 20, 2020 12:40 PM

    According to The Advocate , two former Baton Rouge truancy employees who were accused of felony theft are awaiting trial. Roxson Welch, the executive director of the Family and Youth Service Center, said the center's receptionist, Rebecca Bonaventure ,worked with a maintenance worker, Hector Bautista, to steal the money.... more »
  • Undercover detectives arrest woman accused of selling fake ID's on Instagram

    February 6, 2020 8:10 AM

    BATON ROUGE - Investigators with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office say a woman who has a knack for making falsified documents has been apprehended and put behind bars for forgery and fraud. According to an official report, as detectives were looking into a case involving forged documents... more »
  • WANTED: Agents looking for group using counterfeit money throughout Baton Rouge

    January 21, 2020 12:59 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has teamed up with the Baton Rouge Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service to identify and apprehend eight suspects accused of attempting to make purchases with counterfeit money in Baton Rouge stores. Now, these agencies are asking the public... more »
  • John Paul Funes, former OLOL chief fundraiser, released from federal prison

    December 2, 2019 7:07 AM

    TERRE HAUTE, IN - John Paul Funes, Our Lady of the Lake Foundation’s former chief fundraiser who had been serving time in federal prison for fraud, has reportedly been released to return home as of Friday, March 5. An attorney who represents Funes, Walt Green, issued a Friday morning... more »
  • Three indicted in $80K credit card theft scheme

    November 25, 2019 1:11 PM

    BATON ROUGE – Three people tied to a scam involving the theft of credit cards around the Baton Rouge area were federally indicted Monday. Kiarra Yates, Ed Lee, and Christopher Payne were formally charged with one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and one count of access... more »
  • Clinton mayor resigns from office after year of 'turmoil'

    November 22, 2019 1:01 PM

    CLINTON - Mayor Lori Bell has resigned from office in Clinton after a tumultuous tenure with multiple arrests and state investigations. Bell submitted her letter of resignation to the Secretary of State Friday, saying she was giving up office effective immediately. Bell cited the past year of "turmoil" while... more »
  • Man arrested after trying to sell fake LSU football tickets

    October 13, 2019 11:36 AM

    BATON ROUGE - Authorities arrested a man accused of selling fake tickets to Saturday's LSU-Florida game. A patron attempted to enter Tiger Stadium but was stopped by gate security who informed him that his tickets were fraudulent. The tickets were described as having poor quality ink, a lack of... more »
  • Man accused of failing to finish repairs charged with contractor fraud

    September 5, 2019 6:15 AM

    BATON ROUGE- Deputies have arrested a man for contractor fraud after taking thousands of dollars and not completing the work. According to authorities, the victim entered a contract with Douglas E Gasmo in October 2016 to complete molding work, painting projects, and Sheetrock installation. The victim went to... more »
  • Kids among Romanian group arrested for card skimming scheme in Livingston

    March 12, 2019 4:14 PM

    LIVINGSTON – A fraud scheme was uncovered in Livingston Parish, resulting in the arrest of what the sheriff’s office called some “Romanian suspects” living in the parish. The group had an elaborate card skimming operation, deputies said, with 191 fake credit cards and $4,000 cash. Three juveniles were... more »
  • Texas man arrested in contractor fraud

    December 7, 2018 8:20 AM

    BATON ROUGE- Authorities have charged a man with contractor fraud after he agreed to repair a home without a license and failed to complete the work. The victim contacted the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's office on July 27, 2017, to report a possible contractor fraud. She told authorities that... more »
  • Notorious contractor sentenced to prison after August 2016 flood fraud investigations Play Video

    September 4, 2018 11:08 AM

    LIVINGSTON – Matthew Morris, a contractor wrapped up in widespread fraud allegations after the August 2016 flood, pleaded guilty in Livingston Parish Tuesday. Morris, of Complete Construction Contractors, LLC, was sentenced to four years in state prison with credit for time served and will pay $85,434.30 in restitution. Specific... more »
  • A tough lesson: woman in debt after loaning card to contractor Play Video

    July 16, 2018 7:23 PM

    DENHAM SPRINGS - A woman is stuck with thousands of dollars in credit card debt after she tells 2 On Your Side she was duped by her contractor. Dianne Glascock says she willingly handed over her Home Depot credit card to Axl Escobar, who was working to repair her... more »
  • Man working on flooded BR home lied about contracting license, now faces fraud charges

    December 2, 2017 4:27 PM

    BATON ROUGE- Police say a man who lied about being a licensed contractor will face fraud charges. Nicholas Phillips, 27, was booked with residential fraud charges, records show. In Sept. of 2016, Phillips was hired by a resident whose home on Glenhaven Drive in Baton Rouge was affected... more »
  • Woman featured in On Your Side report now accused of swindling $23,000 out of bank Play Video

    September 19, 2017 6:42 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The tables have turned for a woman who brought her concerns to WBRZ. Now she's in trouble with the law and facing felony charges. In May, Carol Lafitte called 2 On Your Side claiming she was overcharged by a store in the mall for moisturizer. Lafitte... more »
  • Charges dropped for contractor accused of fraud Play Video

    July 28, 2017 7:55 PM

    BATON ROUGE – Last year's flood has given some contractors a bad name, however one contractor says police threw him in jail without talking to him or even going to the home where he was doing the work. Wilson Reado was arrested in May for felony contractor fraud.... more »
  • Contractor with expired license arrested for incomplete work

    July 27, 2017 5:22 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge police have arrested another contractor accused of home improvement fraud. According to police documents, Paul Carney was hired to repair the walls of a home damaged by last year's August flood. The homeowners observed repeated instances of "poor quality workmanship" from Carney. After... more »
  • TWG Contractors, owned by man arrested in 3 parishes for contractor fraud, gets licenses revoked

    July 19, 2017 12:24 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The Residential Contractors Subcommittee of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors revoked three licenses from TWG, LLC. The owner of the company, Michael Simmers, has been arrested several times in at least three different parishes for contractor fraud. The company's commercial, residential and home improvement... more »
  • EBRSO: Fraud contractor paid thousands, never finished flood repairs

    June 29, 2017 9:38 PM

    BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputies say an unlicensed contractor is accused of making shoddy repairs to a flood victim's home and taking thousands of dollars. EBRSO deputies say Michael Hartford Jr. was paid $11,800 by a flood victim to make repairs to damages caused by the... more »
  • Unlicensed contractor accused of swindling flood victim

    June 24, 2017 12:10 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A contractor was arrested after he allegedly took money from an August flood victim and failed to complete work on his home. The affidavit says Jason Rushing met with a man about fixing his home after taking damage from last year's flood. Rushing reportedly told the... more »
  • With intent to buy moisturizer, woman charged $27,000

    June 9, 2017 4:29 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A 30 minute trip to the Mall of Louisiana turned into the most expensive shopping experience of one woman's life. Carol Lafitte says last month she walked into Forever Flawless, a luxury skincare company, to purchase moisturizer. It's a product she bought before and says it... more »
  • Accused fraudulent contractor's wife says they will lift all liens on customers' properties

    June 7, 2017 9:27 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The wife of a contractor arrested on several counts of fraud across multiple parishes has released a statement on behalf of their company Wednesday. Matthew Morris is accused of taking advantage of victims of the August flood and placing liens on many of those victims' homes.... more »

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