LOCAL WOMAN SENTENCED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD
TARA BATISTE, age 42, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court today by U. S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt to five (5) years probation with nine (9) months home detention for a federal felony involving Social Security fraud, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $100 assessment.
According to court documents, on November 4, 2009, BATISTE pled guilty to a bill of information that charged her with making a false statement as to a material fact regarding her work status in information provided to the Social Security Administration. Specifically, BATISTE falsely claimed she had not worked since the date of her last medical disability decision. This false statement resulted in an overpayment of Social Security disability benefits to BATISTE.
The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Irene González.
