Amanda Cangelosi, age 40, of New Orleans pleaded guilty on April 23 to conspiracy to make and pass counterfeit United States currency, according to a May 6 announcement from U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case concerns the manufacture and use of counterfeit $100 bills. According to court documents, Cangelosi worked with others to create fake bills by altering genuine $1 notes in an attempt to deceive merchants into accepting them as legitimate $100 bills. Authorities seized several items used in the creation of the counterfeit currency.
Cangelosi faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. She may also be ordered by the court to pay restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright from the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies in addressing financial crimes related to counterfeiting.
