Press Releases
WOMAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS PROBATION FOR THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS IN CONNECTION WITH LOUISIANA ROAD HOME PROGRAM
June 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EVA BAPTISTE, age 41, a resident of Gonzales, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to five (5) years probation plus a $1,000 fine, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the probationary period, EVA BAPTISTE is required to pay back the entirety of the $110,420 in Road Home funds she fraudulently obtained.
According to court documents, in 2005, EVA BAPTISTE applied for financial assistance for damage sustained on a property located at 3301 North Roman Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, due to Hurricane Katrina. In her 2005 Road Home application, BAPTISTE represented that the address on North Roman Street was her primary residence as of the date of the Hurricane. In 2007, however, BAPTISTE submitted a second application to the Louisiana Road Home Program, purportedly for damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, this time claiming a residence located at 1525 Lesseps Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, as her primary residence as of the date of storm. As a result of this 2007 application, BAPTISTE received approximately $110,420.00 in Road Home funds belonging to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, who administered the program. BAPTISTE subsequently admitted that she did not reside at 1525 Lesseps Street as of the date of the storm and, consequently, that her second Road Home application was fraudulent.
The case was investigated by agents from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.
