FREDDIE ROSS, JR., Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2016

New Orleans Musician FREDDIE ROSS, JR., aka Big Freedia, Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds

FREDDIE ROSS, JR., 38, of New Orleans, who performs under the stage name BIG FREEDIA, pled guilty today to theft of government funds. U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced the guilty plea.

According to court documents, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development provided federal funds to local public housing authorities to assist low-income citizens with private market rental payments through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as the Section 8 Program.

ROSS first applied for Section 8 benefits in March 2009, listing his monthly income as between $100 and $1,000. He disclosed no additional assets on his application. As a result of these representations, ROSS was accepted into the program and began receiving approximately $521 per month for his rental of a residence in New Orleans.

ROSS submitted recertification documents to the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) on a yearly basis through 2014. In his yearly recertification forms, ROSS falsely listed his annual income and assets. He failed to disclose his income from his entertainment and music businesses, including payments for performing concerts, royalties, and the sale of merchandise bearing his likeness.

ROSS's statements about the amount of his assets constituted material misrepresentations upon which HANO representatives relied to determine his eligibility to receive Section 8 benefits. ROSS's true income, had he reported it accurately, would have disqualified him from receiving Section 8 benefits in each year between 2010 and 2014.

ROSS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for June 16, 2016.

ROSS fraudulently received the benefit of Section 8 funds to rent residences in New Orleans totaling approximately $34,849.00 between about January 2010 and November 2014.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-musician-big-freedia-pleads-guilty-theft-government-funds