A woman from LaPlace, Louisiana, has admitted to making false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA), according to a recent announcement by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Latricia Hope Haynes Moliere, age 51, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on April 10, 2025.
Court documents indicate that Moliere applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in March 2021. In her application, she falsely claimed ownership of a baking sole proprietorship with an average monthly payroll of $8,041, supported by a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. However, in a subsequent bankruptcy petition, Moliere stated she was not a sole proprietor. Due to her false assertions, she received $20,102 from the SBA, and the loan was later forgiven after she misrepresented her spending of the funds on payroll.
Moliere faces potential penalties including a prison term of up to five years, a supervised release term of up to three years, a fine up to $250,000, a $100 special assessment fee, and restitution payment of $20,102 to the SBA. Judge Fallon has scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2025.
The public is encouraged to report any information on attempted COVID-19 fraud by contacting the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through their online complaint form.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the United States Trustee. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.