Former Delgado Community College Financial Aid Officer Charged with Solicitation and Receipt of Bribes

DAVIN D. THOMAS (“THOMAS”), age 32, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was charged July 5, 2018 in a one-count Superseding Bill of Information with soliciting money from students in exchange for awarding students financial aid, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the Bill of Information, THOMAS was employed as a Financial Aid Assistant Director at Delgado Community College ("DCC").  THOMAS was responsible for the verification of student financial aid applications and for identifying the students who were eligible for financial aid funds. From April 2014 through August 2016, THOMAS solicited funds in the amount of $6,700 from three DCC students in exchange for awarding the students financial aid.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, THOMAS faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.