Anita Willene Hobdy, Wire Fraud, Louisiana 2023

LaPlace Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud Scheme

NEW ORLEANS – In a shocking case of financial deceit, Anita Willene Hobdy, 68, of LaPlace, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for her role in a wire fraud scheme that targeted the First Baptist Church of LaPlace.

Hobdy, a former bookkeeper for the church’s daycare, was found to have embezzled over $175,000 from church accounts between 2015 and 2021. Her scheme involved making fraudulent charges on the church’s accounts, which were then covered up through her position as bookkeeper.

The investigation into Hobdy’s activities was led by the United States Secret Service and the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the agencies involved, saying, ‘We commend the United States Secret Service and the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.’

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, is in charge of the prosecution. Moses stated, ‘This case serves as a reminder that those who exploit their positions of trust will be held accountable for their actions.’

Hobdy was sentenced by the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon to 27 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $175,124.26 in restitution to the First Baptist Church of LaPlace and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The case serves as a warning to those who may be tempted to engage in similar schemes. As U.S. Attorney Evans noted, ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from financial predators like Anita Hobdy.’

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