ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Ferriday woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 of her deceased aunt’s Veterans Affairs benefits.
Linda Sue Bourgeois, 45, of Ferriday, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property or funds. According to the guilty plea, even though Bourgeois’ aunt died in July of 2007, Bourgeois did not inform Veterans Affairs of the death and took the benefits from a shared bank account until March 2015 when the payments terminated. Bourgeois stole $107,452.33 during the scheme.
Bourgeois faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of Dec. 17, 2015 was set.
Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney F. Michael O’Mara is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
