Former Jefferson Parish Councilman CHRISTOPHER LORELL ROBERTS, JR., 41, of Gretna, Louisiana, was indicted on 29 federal counts including wire fraud and tax evasion, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today. The charges expose a years-long scheme in which Roberts allegedly looted a Louisiana landscaping company he managed, funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to his personal and business accounts while filing false tax returns to cover his tracks.
According to the indictment, Roberts served on the Jefferson Parish Council from January 2004, first representing District 1, then as Councilman-at-Large, earning a salary of up to $112,000 annually. Beyond his public role, Roberts operated or co-owned multiple enterprises including CDS Enterprises, L.L.C., Mardi Market, The West Bank Beacon, LLC, fireworks stands, Baskin Robbins franchises, sno-ball stands, a photography business, and a consulting firm. He also reported gambling winnings as income—all while allegedly scheming to hide millions in illicit gains.
In October 2013, Roberts was hired as General Manager of Company A, a full-service landscaping business based in Terrytown, after the death of its owner. The new owner, the widow of the founder, had no experience running the company and entrusted Roberts with full operational control, including signatory authority over bank accounts. That trust was allegedly shattered beginning in May 2014, when Roberts began systematically defrauding the company through unauthorized checks, personal debit card use, and falsified records.
Roberts wrote checks payable to himself and to entities he controlled—like CDS Enterprises and The West Bank Beacon—falsely labeling them as legitimate business expenses. He used Company A’s debit card to pay for personal costs, including a custom shipping container for his fireworks business and three remote-controlled vehicles. To cover the theft, he sent text messages with fabricated justifications and falsely claimed the payments were reimbursements for personal loans or expenses he had supposedly fronted.
The indictment details a calculated effort to disguise theft as business operations. Despite generating substantial income from his council salary, business ventures, and gambling, Roberts allegedly failed to report the fraudulently obtained funds to the IRS. He is charged with one count of tax evasion under Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201, and multiple counts of wire fraud under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, all stemming from electronic transactions used to execute the fraud.
CHRISTOPHER LORELL ROBERTS, JR. now faces federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Louisiana. If convicted, he could be sentenced to decades in prison, ordered to pay full restitution, and fined under federal guidelines. The case underscores the reach of federal oversight in public corruption and financial crime, particularly when public officials exploit private trust for personal gain. Authorities urge whistleblowers with related information to contact the DOJ’s fraud division immediately.
Related Federal Cases
- Bilal Ahmed, 41, Charged in $70K Wire Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
- Jason Christopher Devillier Sentenced in $474K Bank Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
- Kenner Woman Nisika West Sentenced in $177K Tax Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
- Kenner Couple Sentenced in Tax Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
- Tracy Nichelson Sentenced for $16K Bank Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News