Aline James, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2023

Aline James, a/k/a ‘Aline Foster,’ a 51-year-old New Orleans woman, has been sentenced for Theft of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the indictment, James’s mother, J.J., was a recipient of Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) Program funds. J.J. passed away in 2012, but the Social Security Administration continued to deposit approximately $87,098 in DIB funds into J.J.’s bank account. After her mother’s death, James spent these funds and forged J.J.’s signature on checks to herself.

In addition, James spent $1,200 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT) funds that were sent to her mother. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced James to four (4) years’ probation and payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. Judge Milazzo also ordered that James pay $88,298.00 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021, to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, in uncovering this case. The efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat pandemic-related fraud are crucial in preventing further exploitation of vulnerable individuals and ensuring that relief funds are used for their intended purpose.

Related Federal Cases