⏱ 2 min read
Edward Joseph Sieja, a 47-year-old from Alexandria, Louisiana, has been indicted for concealing assets and making false statements in a bankruptcy case. On August 24, 2021, Sieja filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, seeking to discharge over $3.5 million in debt. However, it’s alleged that he didn’t play by the rules, hiding assets and income to deceive the court and his creditors.
Sieja allegedly concealed the transfer and purchase of multiple properties in Alexandria, using undisclosed commission income from construction contracts. He also failed to disclose significant assets and income, including bank accounts, over $1 million in gross income, and various business interests. Despite these omissions, Sieja declared under penalty of perjury that his filings were true and correct.
The indictment charges Sieja with multiple counts of Concealing Assets in Bankruptcy Filings, Making False Statements Under Penalty of Perjury, and Perjury. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 35 years in federal prison. The case is being pursued by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Trustee.
US Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated that bankruptcy laws are meant to provide a fresh start for honest debtors, not to be exploited by those who seek to hide assets and deceive the court. The prosecution is a clear message that those who attempt to abuse and manipulate the bankruptcy system for personal gain will be held accountable.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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