Haiti Official Nabbed: $156K DoD Scam Lands Him in Federal Prison

CHARLESTON, SC – Roudy Pierre-Louis, 49, a Haitian national and former State Department employee, is trading embassy life for a federal cell after being sentenced for a brazen wire fraud scheme that siphoned over $156,000 from the Department of Defense. Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced the sentence today, bringing a close to a case that exposed vulnerabilities within the State Department’s financial controls.

Pierre-Louis, who served as the sole budget analyst for the Security Coordination Office (SCO) at the Embassy of Haiti from 2015 to August 2018, was entrusted with managing all accounting lines for both the State Department and DoD funds related to the SCO. This included handling per diem cash advances for those attending United States Southern Command events. He also held the position of Occasional Money Holder, a role that granted him access to cash for individuals lacking full embassy access – a key component of his scheme.

The SCO maintained a “cash cage” – a vault used to disburse cash advances with proper documentation and supervisory approval. Daily reconciliations were standard, requiring a State Department financial officer to verify balances and replenish the supply. Pierre-Louis exploited this system, submitting fraudulent vouchers and forging signatures of requesting and approving DoD supervisors in the names of Haitian Nationals. The Department of State, unaware of the deception, released the funds, which were then reimbursed by the Department of Defense – a clean transfer of taxpayer money into Pierre-Louis’s pockets.

The scale of the fraud is staggering. Over a three-year period, from 2015 to August 2018, Pierre-Louis embezzled at least $156,950. He didn’t just dip into the funds; he systematically abused his position of trust, leveraging the established procedures to line his own pockets. The State Department Office of Inspector General’s Charleston Field Office and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit ultimately unraveled the scheme.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel handed down a 12-month and one-day prison sentence, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Pierre-Louis is also ordered to pay full restitution. Forget parole – there’s none in the federal system. This isn’t a slap on the wrist, but it’s a clear signal that exploiting government funds won’t be tolerated.

Assistant United States Attorney Allessandra Stewart successfully prosecuted the case, demonstrating the government’s commitment to holding accountable those who abuse their positions for personal gain. The investigation highlights the need for constant vigilance and robust internal controls within government agencies to prevent similar schemes from taking root. This case serves as a stark reminder: when it comes to public funds, every dollar counts, and those who steal from the system will face the consequences.