Two Louisiana residents have been indicted for conspiracy to commit theft and bribery related to a program receiving federal funds, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Kenneth Lawson, 39, of New Orleans, and Areion Banks, 33, of Slidell, were charged on August 28, 2025.
The indictment states that Lawson was employed as Grants Manager in the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) Grants Department between August 2022 and November 29, 2024. In this role, he could request grant payments and issue checks to companies working as subgrantees under OPSO grants. Lawson met Banks in March 2024; soon after, they allegedly devised a scheme where Lawson would steal checks intended for subgrantees and deposit them into accounts controlled by either himself or Banks. Banks would then pay bribes to Lawson from the proceeds.
On one occasion described in the indictment, on or about August 12, 2024, Banks paid Lawson approximately $5,900 as a bribe following the diversion of about $15,000 from OPSO funds without authorization.
Further details indicate that on July 30, 2024, Lawson incorporated Williams James Assoc. LLC with the State of Louisiana and opened a business checking account for it at a Jefferson Parish financial institution. Although Williams James had no legitimate connection with OPSO or its operations, Lawson used his position at OPSO to request that the United States Department of Justice transfer $100,000 from a previously awarded $3.907 million DOJ grant into the new account without supervisor approval.
To make this transaction appear authorized by OPSO management, Banks allegedly agreed to contact the bank while posing as an OPSO employee who approved the transfer. According to prosecutors, Lawson provided detailed instructions for this call; Banks subsequently contacted the bank and falsely claimed that OPSO had approved moving these funds.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson emphasized: "an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."
If convicted on these charges under Title 18 of United States Code Sections 371 and 666(a), both men face up to five years in prison each as well as fines up to $250,000 per person.
Simpson praised investigative work by both the United States Department of Justice – Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation in uncovering these alleged crimes. He also thanked Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office staff for their support during the investigation process. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is leading prosecution efforts in this case.
