Igel Casanova Gibbins, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA – In a shocking case of government fund theft, IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS, a 44-year-old resident of Montz, Louisiana, was sentenced to five years’ probation, 100 hours of community service, and full restitution to the Social Security Administration for stealing government funds worth $202,417.00.

The crime began after the State of Louisiana provided the Social Security Administration with death data of approximately 1.6 million Social Security number holders who had died in the state from January 1, 1979, through December 31, 2019. As part of that data, the state disclosed that D.C., a participant in the SSA’s Retirement Survivor Insurance program, died on or about August 16, 2012.

Unaware of D.C.’s death, the SSA erroneously released approximately $202,417.00 in RSI Program funds from August 2012 through December 2020, via automatic wire transfers to D.C.’s jointly held Capital One Bank account. IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS, D.C.’s daughter, was a joint account holder of the Capital One account. D.C.’s RSI Program benefits were not transferrable to IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS. Following the automatic deposit of RSI Program benefits, IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS accessed the funds and wrongfully converted the funds to her own personal use, depleting nearly all account funds.

The SSA determined that IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS fraudulently obtained $200,396.00 in SSA disability benefits from her father’s Capital One Bank account. IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS never advised the SSA of D.C.’s death.

United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS to five years’ probation, 100 hours of community service, full restitution to the Social Security Administration, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige O’Hale.

The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government programs. IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS’ actions were a blatant disregard for the law and a misuse of public funds. Her sentence serves as a reminder that those who abuse their position or engage in financial crimes will be held accountable.

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