Fraud prosecutions remain steady in Western Louisiana

The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alec Van Hook, discussed the ongoing issue of fraud in the region. He stated that fraud cases constitute about five percent of their overall work. Many people are taking advantage of COVID relief funds as they seek quick financial gains. Van Hook highlighted various fraud cases, including members of a local gang involved in fraudulent loan applications. He emphasized that while the number of cases isn’t increasing significantly, they see consistent fraud driven by opportunism. Fraud against government programs, such as those from FEMA and COVID relief, is a major focus for his office. The U.S. government authorized $5 trillion for COVID relief, and it is estimated that around $300 billion was lost to fraud. The Justice Department reported nearly 2,800 fraud cases related to the pandemic. Each case typically originates from tips, civil litigations, or anonymous communications. Van Hook noted that cases are categorized into fraud against the government and fraud against private entities. An example of private fraud involved call center employees misusing customer information to steal money. For resolved cases, his office can pursue restitution for up to 20 years. Overall, Van Hook stressed the importance of addressing fraud to protect taxpayer money. He believes that taking swift action can deter future offenses and contribute to community safety.