Nola Reporter

United States Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced the indictment of Latricia Hope Haynes Moliere, a 50-year-old resident of LaPlace, on charges related to false statements made to the Small Business Administration and falsification of bankruptcy records. The indictment was issued on October 4, 2024.

Court documents indicate that Moliere allegedly misrepresented herself as a sole proprietor with an average monthly payroll of $8,041 in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application dated around March 13, 2021. To support her application, she reportedly submitted a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C.

Further allegations state that from May 3, 2021, until at least September 13, 2021, Moliere made false statements during a bankruptcy case by failing to disclose her receipt of PPP funds.

If convicted for making false statements to the SBA (Count One), Moliere could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. For falsification of bankruptcy records (Count Two), she faces up to twenty years in prison under similar conditions. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that the indictment is merely an accusation and that guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni from the Financial Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.