New Orleans Woman, Renata R. Foreman, Sentenced For Financial Aid Fraud

RENATA R. FOREMAN, age 34, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan, to 33 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $300 special assessment,  announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr.  FOREMAN pleaded guilty in October 2013 to a three-count bill of information charging her with theft of government funds, mail fraud and identity theft related to her scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Education.  Judge Morgan also ordered FOREMAN to pay restitution in the amount of $191,617 to the U.S. Department of Education.

According to court records, from September 2008 through January 2012, FOREMAN fraudulently obtained financial aid funds in the amount of $191,617 from several Louisiana and online universities.  As part of her scheme to defraud, FOREMAN applied for admission and financial aid in her name and in the name of nine individuals without their knowledge or consent. By falsifying high school graduation information and supplying forged transcripts, FOREMAN induced universities to admit her and others based on false information. FOREMAN also misrepresented her income and other applicant’s income in order to maximize the federal financial aid she illegally received.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education-Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.