Racquel Pichon, age 42 and formerly of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 14 for making false statements and stealing government funds related to Covid-19 relief programs, according to U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address fraud involving pandemic-related benefits. These actions are part of a broader initiative by the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute individuals who misuse taxpayer dollars from federal benefit programs.
Court documents show that Pichon applied for several loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act using her business Exotica Beauty LLC as the applicant. On June 12, 2020, she completed a Paycheck Protection Program loan application resulting in a disbursement of about $194,642.50 one week later. She also submitted an Economic Injury Disaster Loan application on June 23 that led to receiving an advance grant of $10,000 and a business loan totaling $149,900 by the end of that month.
Pichon used some of these funds at high-end retail stores in New Orleans between July 2 and July 7 for purchases totaling over $8,000. She also spent more than $900 on amusement park tickets in Florida and made additional purchases with EIDL proceeds at another retail store in New Orleans.
In total, Pichon received $354,542.50 from Covid-19 assistance programs. United States District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced her to twelve months home detention with electronic monitoring as part of five years' probation. The sentence includes restitution payments matching the full amount received plus a mandatory special assessment fee.
The Department of Justice continues its efforts through initiatives such as the National Fraud Enforcement Division and COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to prevent similar crimes nationwide. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana plays a key role in enforcing federal laws and prosecuting criminal cases according to its official website. The office is responsible for enhancing community safety through law enforcement according to its official website and operates under appointment by the President with Senate approval according to its official website. Covering Southeast Louisiana as chief federal law enforcement officer according to its official website, it handles prosecution of criminal cases along with civil matters involving debt collection for the government according to its official website.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle said he praised investigators from both the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and United States Secret Service involved in this matter.
