A LaPlace woman has admitted to making false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA), according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Latricia Hope Haynes Moliere, aged 51, pleaded guilty on April 10, 2025, before United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon. The charges relate to false information she provided when applying for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Court documents revealed that Moliere submitted a PPP loan application in March 2021, claiming she owned a baking sole proprietorship with an average monthly payroll of $8,041. She supported her application with a fraudulent Internal Revenue Service Form 1040 Schedule C. Moliere later declared bankruptcy, stating she was not a sole proprietor. Her misrepresentations led to her receiving $20,102 from the SBA, which was forgiven after she falsely claimed the funds were used on payroll.
Moliere faces a possible prison sentence of up to five years, a supervised release term of up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000. She is also obliged to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 and restitution of $20,102 to the SBA. Sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2025.
The public is encouraged to report any information about suspected fraud related to COVID-19 by contacting the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or by using the NCDF Web Complaint Form available online.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the investigation efforts by the United States Secret Service and the United States Trustee. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni from the Financial Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
