Romney Manuel, age 52, of Prairieville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and Demietriek Scott, age 50, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 29 months in federal prison following their convictions for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson further sentenced Manuel to serve two years of supervised release, and Scott to serve three years of supervised release following their terms of imprisonment. Each is ordered to pay $74,250 in restitution.
According to admissions made during their pleas, Manuel and Scott conspired with each other to devise a scheme to obtain federal grant money from the Louisiana Department of Education. During the conspiracy, Manuel and Scott made a non-existent childcare provider appear operational and manipulated spreadsheets and data systems utilized by the Louisiana Department of Education in order to steal $74,250 in federal funds.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson led the prosecution.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Middle District of Louisiana — U.S. Department of Justice press release.