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Press Release

Alexandria Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Submitting False Student Aid Applications to Department of Education

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Adaysha Tanner, 36, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced September 25 by Chief U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr., to 10 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for financial aid fraud, in connection with a scheme where she filled out and submitted false student aid applications for more than $95,000.  Judge Hicks also ordered Tanner to pay $106,744 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Education.  Tanner pleaded guilty on May 14, 2019. 

Beginning in the spring semester of 2013 through the spring semester of 2015, Tanner filled out financial aid applications through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and through Federal Direct Loans for four students, representing that they would be attending Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), and listed her physical address and email address as the contact information.  In reality, Tanner would take over the individual’s BPCC student accounts, attend classes, and do minimal coursework in order to keep financial aid flowing.  In one instance in particular, Tanner enrolled a student in 18 classes over four semesters, of which she withdrew from seven.  In total, Tanner enrolled four students in classes, many of which were identical to classes that Tanner was taking at BPCC.  For the majority of these classes, they were eventually withdrawn or given a failing grade. 

On each occasion, after BPCC applied grants and loans to the costs of tuition and other fees, Bank Mobile sent a bank card to Tanner’s address with the remaining funds.  She took the cards and spent the money for her own personal expenses.  As a result of Tanner’s fraudulent scheme, the U.S. Department of Education disbursed a total of $106,744 in Federal Direct Stafford loans and Federal Pell grants to BPCC during the time of the fraud. 

The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

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Updated September 26, 2019