U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS – DEDRA BRIGHT (“BRIGHT”), age 64, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today to theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans
According to court documents, from November 2008 to November 2020, BRIGHT knowingly accessed and converted approximately $194,127.80 in Social Security Administration and $1,200 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES ACT”) funds.
U.S. District Court Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle set sentencing for July 5, 2023. At sentencing, BRIGHT faces up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain to the defendant or loss to any person, a term of supervised release of up to three years following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses, Health Care Fraud Coordinator and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.
Contact
Shane Jones
Community Outreach Coordinator
U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana
Updated April 5, 2023
Topic
Health Care Fraud