Elliott Sterling, Financial Aid Fraud, Louisiana 2017
A Baton Rouge man has been indicted for his role in a scheme to defraud the United States of millions of dollars in financial aid funds.
Elliott Sterling, 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged with 14 counts of wire fraud, financial aid fraud, and engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from specified unlawful activity, according to a federal indictment.
The indictment alleges that between September 2017 and November 2019, Sterling enrolled individuals into classes at Baton Rouge Community College and illegally obtained federal financial aid funds on their behalf.
Sterling filed Free Applications for Federal Student Aid on behalf of each individual and misrepresented their prior education history, income, and dependents, according to the indictment.
Out of the over 250 individuals that Sterling secured funds on behalf of, only 32 had earned the requisite high school diploma or GED to qualify for those funds, the indictment alleges.
Sterling is also charged with one count of money laundering relating to a $256,000 withdrawal of fraud proceeds from his personal bank account for conversion into a bank check.
Sterling appeared for his arraignment yesterday and pled not guilty to the pending charges.
Defendant: Elliott Sterling
Criminal Charges: Wire fraud, financial aid fraud, engaging in monetary transactions involving property derived from specified unlawful activity
City and State: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Date: Between September 2017 and November 2019
Outcome: Currently pending trial
Dollar Amount: $256,000
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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