Franklinton Woman Guilty of Theft of Government Funds

NEW ORLEANS - Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that, BARBARA AUGUSTIN (“AUGUSTIN”), age 58, a resident of Franklinton, Louisiana, pled guilty on October 23, 2025 to a bill of information charging her with theft of government funds.

According to the bill of information, beginning in or about November 2018, and continuing until in or about May 2023, the defendant did knowingly convert to her use, money belonging to the United States, namely the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), to which she knew she was not entitled. AUGUSTIN admitted fraudulently obtaining over $40,000 in SSA benefits by failing to report to Social Security her son’s incarceration, which allowed her to continue receiving benefits on his behalf as his representative payee.

AUGUSTIN faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright, Financial Crimes Unit.