NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JELISSA LACOUR (“LACOUR”), age 36, a resident of Jefferson Parish, was indicted on June 20, 2025 with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
One wire fraud count alleged that LACOUR obtained numerous Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using falsified tax forms. The other wire fraud count alleged that LACOUR obtained Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds in the names of numerous purported renters. According to the indictment, in some instances, the PPP and ERAP applications were for accomplices who sought to benefit from the fraudulent applications, while in other instances, LACOUR misused others’ identities to obtain payments in their names. The aggravated identity theft charges relate to the use of other persons’ identities.
If convicted, LACOUR faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release for each wire fraud count, and two years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to one year of supervised release for each aggravated identity theft count. Each count is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon of the of the Public Integrity Unit.
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