Louisiana U.S. Attorneys Highlight Nine Recent Fraud Prosecutions Across the State

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. DOJ efforts to combat fraud support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a comprehensive effort led by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. United States Attorneys in Louisiana are proud to stand unified in this critical effort on behalf of Louisiana citizens and made this joint statement:

"The cases highlighted include some of the most expansive and complex fraud cases that DOJ has investigated and prosecuted, and which emphasize the combined missions of the DOJ and the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana to safeguard the nation's coffers from fraudulent schemes. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of fraud, hold them accountable, and seek justice for those directly impacted by fraud. It is the hardworking American taxpayer who ultimately bears the financial burden of fraud, waste, and abuse," stated David I. Courcelle, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana, Kurt L. Wall, United States Attorney, Middle District of Louisiana, Zachary A. Keller, United States Attorney, Western District of Louisiana.

"The Louisiana Department of Justice is proud to partner with our three U.S. Attorneys - David Courcelle, Kurt Wall, and Zachary Keller - to fight fraud. Since I assumed office, the LDOJ has secured more than 100 convictions and $73 million in court-ordered restitution, stated Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. "Those kinds of results only happen when all levels of government work together toward the same mission. Under the leadership of the Trump administration, Acting Attorney General Blanche, Governor Landry, the Louisiana Legislature, and our many other state and federal partners, we are holding criminals accountable and delivering real results for the taxpayers of Louisiana and the nation," stated Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

"Louisiana's business records should never become a tool for criminals. This partnership reflects our commitment to protecting businesses, consumers, and the integrity of our state's business registration system. By working more closely with our law enforcement partners at both the state and federal levels, we can better identify fraudulent activity, disrupt criminal schemes, and protect businesses from those who seek to exploit them. Collaboration like this strengthens public confidence and helps ensure Louisiana remains a safe place to live, work, and do business," stated Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry.

"Louisiana is all in with President Trump and Vice President Vance. To anyone stealing from a Louisiana program: the State of Louisiana and the United States Department of Justice are working from the same file, and there is no seam left to hide in," stated Louisiana Inspector General and Chief Integrity Officer Angele Davis.

"We thank the U.S. Department of Justice for its partnership in combating fraud and for bringing together investigative partners from across the Southeast to strengthen our shared efforts," Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael "Mike" Waguespack.

What follows are cases that particularly exemplify the effort to investigate and prosecute fraud in Louisiana and restore confidence to citizens.

EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

On June 3, 2026, Amanda Clayborne-Williams was charged with wire fraud and tax evasion. According to the bill of information, in 2020 and 2021, Clayborne-Williams submitted twelve fraudulent Small Business Administration loan and loan forgiveness applications for Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans ("EIDL"). Clayborne-Williams applied for approximately $1.3 million in loans. It is alleged she received approximately $447,305.98. Clayborne-Williams also attempted to evade paying income tax by filing a false form with the IRS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni.

On June 17, 2026,Scharmaine Lawson Baker, a nurse practitioner, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,508,868 in restitution for her role in a health care fraud scheme resulting in over $12 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for medically unnecessary cancer genetic tests. Baker received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks. Trial evidence showed that Baker ordered ovarian and cervical cancer tests for male patients. The case was prosecuted by DOJ Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force Trial Attorneys Samantha E. Usher, Gary A. Crosby II, and Kelly Z. Walters; and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses.

On June 22, 2026, Dr. Christopher Whipple, a New Orleans physician, was charged by indictment with two counts of health care fraud. Whipple owned and operated two health care companies that are alleged to have submitted $5.9 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Humana. Whipple allegedly submitted claims on behalf of patients for which he did not provide care and billed for in-person care for Louisianians despite their being outside the state. Whipple is also alleged to have submitted claims using the identities of other providers without their permission. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Zakeria Haidary, Acting Assistant Chief Sara Porter of the Gulf Coast Strike Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Knight. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Giavotella is handling asset forfeiture.

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Chakesha Scott, Eric Scott, Courtney Scott, and Sam Green, all of Zachary, were indicted on July 15, 2026, for conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Beginning around June 2018 and continuing until at least December 2024, the defendants allegedly conspired to embezzle or steal funds from Impact Charter School for personal use. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis, who also serves as the office's District Fraud Counsel.

Oscar Hills, IV, of Baton Rouge, was convicted following a three-day jury trial in September 2025 of two counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. The jury found that, between March 2020 and May 2020, Hills submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), which were created or expanded by Congress under the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these applications, Hills fraudulently obtained over $835,000. He is awaiting sentencing. The case is currently being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Casey.

Damian Raby, of Gonzales, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in October of 2025 following his conviction for conspiracy to launder money and obstruct the due administration of internal revenue laws. Raby was also ordered to pay over $2.6 million in restitution based on his filing of over three dozen fraudulent applications for pandemic-era tax credits under the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program, which was implemented by the CARES Act to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payrolls. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan A. Stevens, who also serves as the office's Senior Litigation Counsel, and John B. Casey.

WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Jane Francis Pierce, of Boyce, is charged with running a multi-year fraud scheme in which she filed false tax returns on behalf of a trust she controlled, seeking almost $10 million in refunds, and successfully obtaining more than $1 million from the IRS. She allegedly used the money for personal expenses, including a home and vehicle, and then obstructed the IRS's efforts to reclaim the fraudulent refunds. On April 15, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging her with mail fraud, money laundering, filing false tax returns, and interfering with an IRS investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnson, and Trial Attorney with the Criminal Division Tax Section, Isaiah Boyd.

Chandrakant Patel, of Oakdale, a business owner, and four co-defendants, Chad Doyle, Michael Slaney, Glynn Dixon, and Tebo Onishea, were paid thousands of dollars by foreign nationals to be named as false "victims" of crimes in order to obtain U-visas in and around Oakdale. Patel conspired with his co-defendants, prominent members of local law enforcement, who used their official positions to certify the fraudulent reports. Patel also attempted to bribe a Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office employee with $5,000 for an additional fraudulent report and the group used the U.S. Postal Service and other carriers to submit falsified documents. They were indicted on July 2, 2025, and all have now pled guilty. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Nickel and Danny Siefker.

On May 7, 2026, Mya Carter, of Shreveport, and nine co-defendants, were indicted after a multi-year investigation of individuals applying for fraudulent loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the Federal Government. The 10 individuals indicted in this case applied for, or had others apply in their place, for multiple loans using fraudulent documents and false information to claim ownership of mostly non-existent businesses in order to enrich themselves. A total of 12 loans were funded for a loss of approximately $260,000 with an additional 46 loans that attempted to obtain over one million dollars in federal funds. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

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