Ferriday woman sentenced to five months in prison for stealing Veterans Affairs benefits

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Ferriday woman was sentenced Thursday to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for stealing more than $100,000 of Veterans Affairs (VA) Death and Indemnity funds which were meant for her deceased aunt.

Linda Sue Bourgeois, 45, of Ferriday, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on one count of theft of government property or funds. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $107,452.33 restitution. According to evidence presented at her September 8, 2015 guilty plea, Bourgeois’ aunt was entitled to Death and Indemnity Compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs because of her husband’s service in the military.  Bourgeois’ aunt died in July of 2007, and Bourgeois did not inform Veterans Affairs of the death.  Bourgeois and her aunt shared a bank account where the funds were deposited electronically, and Bourgeois took the funds until March 2015 when the payments terminated by the VA. Bourgeois stole $107,452.33 during the scheme.

Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael O’Mara prosecuted the case.