Related Federal Cases
Lafayette Man and Daughters Indicted for Wire Fraud Conspiracy
LAFAYETTE, La. – A federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana has returned an indictment charging Brian Desormeaux, 64, and his two daughters, Amy Desormeaux Hernandez, 38, and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, 34, each with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
The indictment alleges that Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc. (RNA), a Louisiana non-profit corporation located in Scott, Louisiana, was owned and operated by Brian Desormeaux, who served as its Executive Director. Amy Desormeaux Hernandez served as its Assistant Director, and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux served as its Senior Program Manager.
RNA was a “Sponsoring Organization” for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (“the Program”), a federal program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The Program authorizes assistance to states through grants-in-aid and other means to assist non-profit food service programs for children and adult participants in non-residential institutions that provide care.
According to the indictment, the defendants had access to KidKare/Minute Menu HX, the online portal used by Sponsoring Organizations to administer the Program. It is alleged that defendant Amy Hernandez would access the online portal at the beginning of the month to change Day Care Home Providers to “inactive” status to avoid monitoring and oversight by the Louisiana Department of Education (“LDOE”).
Then, at the end of the month, she would change those “inactive” Day Care Home providers back to “active” status so that claims could be submitted to LDOE for reimbursement by USDA. The indictment alleges that all three defendants submitted or caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to LDOE for reimbursement from USDA, to include claims that children were being cared for and fed at Day Care Home providers when in fact, they were not.
It is also alleged that some of those Day Care Home providers were deceased at the time claims were made on their behalf. The indictment further alleges that Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux submitted false and fraudulent state fire marshal inspection reports for Day Care Home providers so that they would be in compliance with LDOE’s requirements for inclusion in the Program, which was necessary for reimbursements.
If convicted, each defendant faces not more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren L. Gardner.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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