New Orleans woman, Ashly Howard, 33, has pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Funds and Identity Theft in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to court documents, Ashly Howard submitted Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Master Promissory Notes (MPN) in individuals’ names to obtain federal financial aid. The fraud scheme occurred between 2018 and 2019.
Ashly Howard submitted thirty (30) applications for admission to Nunez Community College in Chalmette, Louisiana in these individuals’ names. Additionally, she created debit cards in these individuals’ names to receive student loan proceeds.
The court documents state that Ashly Howard accepted the grants and student loans and used the federal financial aid funds under the names of these individuals; some with, and some without, their knowledge or consent. This fraudulent activity resulted in the theft of approximately $280,000 in Department of Education funds that Ashly Howard was not entitled to receive.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced the plea on February 18, 2021. The court has set sentencing for May 27, 2021. Ashly Howard faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment, followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment per count.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn McHugh.
Related Federal Cases
- Michaelle Martinez, Theft of Government Funds, LA, 2023 · Texas
- Ricardo Miguel Mayo, Theft of Government Money, FL 2024 · Georgia
- Bob G. Dean Jr., Neglect of Nursing Home Residents, Louisiana, 2023 · Texas
- Angel Lara-Merida, Identity Theft, Kenner LA, 2023 · Texas
- Janet Smith, Mail Fraud, Louisiana, 2023 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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