United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Penelope Passero, a 50-year-old resident of Westwego, Louisiana, was sentenced on December 10, 2024, for theft of government funds. The conviction was based on violations under Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

Court documents revealed that from February 2016 to December 2020, Passero unlawfully accessed and converted approximately $59,320.97 in Social Security Administration and CARES Act funds.

United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter sentenced Passero to time served for Count 1 of the indictment. Additionally, she received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee along with restitution amounting to $59,320.97.

In response to pandemic-related fraud, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17. This task force aims to enhance efforts in combating and preventing such fraud by collaborating with various government agencies. It focuses on investigating and prosecuting significant domestic and international criminal actors while assisting agencies responsible for administering relief programs.

The Department of Justice encourages anyone with information about COVID-19 related fraud allegations to report them through the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via their online complaint form.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged the support from the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, is handling the prosecution.