⏱ 2 min read
Amanda Cangelosi, a 40-year-old New Orleans resident, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2026, to conspiring to make and pass counterfeit $100 bills in the city. Cangelosi and her co-conspirators used genuine $1 bills to create the fake currency, attempting to deceive merchants into accepting the counterfeit bills as real. The scheme was uncovered by investigators, who seized several items used to create the counterfeit cash.
Cangelosi faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She may also be ordered to pay restitution. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright of the Financial Crimes Unit handling the prosecution.
The counterfeit operation involved manufacturing fake $100 bills using real $1 bills as a base. This tactic was used to make the counterfeit currency appear more legitimate, increasing the chances of merchants accepting the fake bills without suspicion. Cangelosi’s guilty plea marks a significant step in the prosecution of counterfeiting crimes in the region.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies are cracking down on counterfeiting operations, which can have severe consequences for businesses and individuals. Counterfeit currency can lead to financial losses, damage to reputation, and erosion of trust in the financial system. Cangelosi’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community in combating financial crimes.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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