Plaquemines Parish Resident Charged with Defrauding the Gulf Coast Claims Facility

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SHANQUITTA JONES-DILLON, age 40, of Buras, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information with wire fraud.

According to documents filed in federal court, JONES-DILLON filed a false claim for damages arising out of the BP Oil Spill in 2010. As part of the scheme to defraud, JONES-DILLON submitted false documents to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) during the claims process. The fraudulent claim submitted by JONES-DILLON caused the GCCF to release over $63,000 in damage payments to JONES-DILLON. 

JONES-DILLON faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim.

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

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.