Kenneth Lawson, Theft and Bribery, Louisiana 2023

Former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Employee and Slidell Resident Guilty of Theft and Bribery

A former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and Slidell resident has pleaded guilty to theft and bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds.

Kenneth Lawson, 39, a resident of New Orleans, and Areion Banks, 33, a resident of Slidell, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to conspiracy to commit theft and bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 666(a)(1)(A), and 666(a)(1)(B).

According to court documents, on or about August 10, 2023, the United States government awarded the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office a $3.907 million Byrne Discretionary Grant entitled 'Technology, Equipment, and Programming Improvements to Support People in Custody and Streamline Reentry.' The purpose of the grant was, in part, to 'aid in supporting the health and wellness of people in custody.'

Kenneth Lawson was employed by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office as Grants Manager, in OPSO's Grants Department, between about August 2022 and November 29, 2024. In that capacity, he possessed the ability to request grant payments from grant originators and to issue checks from OPSO to companies acting as subgrantees under grants received by OPSO.

In total, Lawson and Banks diverted, and attempted to divert, funds from OPSO in this manner on at least four occasions totaling more than $45,000, and Banks made one payment to Lawson. Additionally, Lawson stole approximately $7,000 from OPSO by causing the deposit of a $7,000 OPSO check into the Williams James account, and also caused approximately $75,000 from OPSO to be deposited in the Williams James account.

Lawson and Banks are currently awaiting sentencing. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/former-orleans-parish-sheriffs-office-employee-and-slidell-resident-guilty-theft-and-1