Jelissa Lacour, a 37-year-old resident of Jefferson Parish, was sentenced on April 9 by United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a total of 70 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to an April 20 announcement by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Lacour's sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat fraud that impacts government programs and taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana enforces federal laws and prosecutes criminal cases as part of its mission to enhance community safety through law enforcement efforts, according to the official website.
Court documents show that Lacour obtained several Paycheck Protection Program loans using falsified tax forms and also secured Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds under false pretenses, sometimes using others’ identities or applying on behalf of accomplices seeking fraudulent benefits. The total loss from these schemes amounted to approximately $366,236.
Judge Barbier sentenced Lacour to 46 months imprisonment for wire fraud counts and an additional consecutive term of 24 months for aggravated identity theft counts. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term ends and pay $342,032 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon from the Public Integrity Unit. The U.S. Attorney’s Office covers Southeast Louisiana as the chief federal law enforcement office in the district; it operates under the Department of Justice with appointments made by the President with Senate approval according to its official website.
Looking ahead, authorities continue their focus on protecting residents through rigorous prosecution of crimes affecting federal programs—a responsibility handled locally by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Southeast Louisiana.
