Press Releases
NEW ORLEANS WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN KATRINA FRAUD
May 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHAWNTELL MANUEL, age 30, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty in federal court today before U. S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to one count of theft of government funds, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, MANUEL received $123,800 in Katrina related disaster loan proceeds from the Small Business Administration based on MANUEL’s submissions of false and fraudulent documentation to the SBA in support of her disaster loan for her businesses: the Big Dog Barber Shop and the B&D Barber College formerly located at 1320-22 Odeon Street, New Orleans, LA 70114 and the Big Dog Washateria located at 726 4th Street, Westwego, La.
MANUEL faces a possible maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three (3) years supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $100 Special Assessment. Sentencing is scheduled for August 19, 2009, at 1:30 p.m.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Small Business Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney, Julia K. Evans.
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