New Orleans Woman, Kwanza Wells, Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that KWANZA WELLS, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty today to a one-count bill of information for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 

According to the bill of information, beginning in or about October 2010 and continuing until in or about November 2010, WELLS willfully conspired to device a scheme to obtain money by means of fraudulent representations and to defraud the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), which was established by BP Exploration and Production, Inc. (BP) concerning the April 10, 2010 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon; and as a result of WELLS false and fraudulent representations and documentation, the GCCF paid her approximately $19,500, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

WELLS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000,  three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.   U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey set sentencing for January 13, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Secret Service and FBI in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Irene Gonzàlez is in charge of the prosecution.

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