Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
December 12, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEBRA LALLANDE, age 60, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty to a one-count bill of information charging her with theft of government funds, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. She is scheduled for sentencing on April 2, 2008.
According to court documents, prior to June, 1987, LALLANDE previously lived with an individual identified as “D.G.” who received monthly Social Security benefits at the residence. In June, 1987, that individual passed away and LALLANDE failed to inform Social Security. Between June, 1987 and January 3, 2005, LALLANDE forged “D.G.’s” name on benefit checks and cashed them, knowing that she was not entitled to these benefits. LALLANDE’S actions resulted in an overall loss to the Government of $77,012.00. As part of the plea agreement, LALLANDE has agreed to repay this money in restitution.
LALLANDE faces a possible maximum penalty of ten (10) years. In addition, the defendant faces up to three (3) years’ supervised release, a fine of $ 250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Kay Bosserman.
)
