A New Orleans resident has pleaded guilty to charges of making false statements and money laundering in connection with fraud involving the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Irvin C. Francois, III, age 54, entered his plea before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey on September 23, 2025.
According to court documents, Francois submitted false information to an approved lender on or about March 24, 2021, seeking a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for a business he owned. He received approximately $144,790 through this scheme and later used the funds to purchase an automobile from a dealership in Kenner, Louisiana.
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and provided emergency assistance to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through programs administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), including the PPP.
Francois is scheduled for sentencing on January 6, 2026. He faces up to five years in prison for making false statements and up to ten years for money laundering. Each charge also carries potential fines of up to $250,000, supervised release of up to three years per count, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
“This case was investigated by an agent assigned to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force,” according to the announcement. “The PRAC was established to serve the American public by promoting transparency and facilitating coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.” The task force includes agents from multiple Inspectors General who investigate fraud related to pandemic relief programs such as PPP.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson acknowledged contributions from both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is leading the prosecution.
Further details about how the Department of Justice addresses pandemic-related fraud can be found at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Individuals with information regarding attempted COVID-19 fraud are encouraged to contact authorities via phone or online complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
