Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to Railroad Retirement Fraud

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TONYA BUTLER, of Slidell, La., age 55, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2024 before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to making false statements to the Railroad Retirement Board, in violation Title 45, United States Code, Section 359(a).

According to the bill of information and court records, from January 2022 to April 2022, BUTLER made false statements to the Railroad Retirement Board for the purpose of obtaining sickness benefits. In truth, BUTLER was working full-time for an interstate trucking company. Her false statements caused a loss of approximately $7,345.52.

Sentencing will be held on July 22, 2024. At that time, BUTLER faces up to one year in prison for the false statements count. She also faces up to $100,000 in fines, and up to one year of supervised release after conviction.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Amtrak – Office of Inspector General and the Railroad Retirement Board - Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.