Nicole Cockerham, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2022

Houma resident Nicole Cockerham, 42, has been charged with theft of government funds, a crime that has shaken the community.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cockerham knowingly converted approximately $38,851.00 in Social Security Administration and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds from March 2019 to July 2020.

The bill of information, filed on March 28, 2022, charges Cockerham with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, which prohibits the theft of government property.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that the charging document is merely an accusation and that Cockerham’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Cockerham’s alleged actions have raised concerns about the misuse of government funds, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and the Treasury Inspection General for Tax Administration 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.

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