NOLA Lawyer Accused of $250K Scam

⏱ 3 min read

New Orleans lawyer Tanzanika Ruffin, 48, is facing federal charges after allegedly ripping off a client’s family for a quarter of a million dollars. A grand jury indicted Ruffin on Friday, March 13, 2026, accusing her of wire fraud – essentially, using lies and the phone/internet to steal.

The feds say Ruffin convinced the family they needed to pay hush money to a New Orleans Police Department officer for unspecified “injuries” stemming from…something. She spun a tale about a “Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement” with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office and the officer, claiming it required secrecy around the settlement. Only problem? No such agreement existed.

Instead of settling with the officer, Ruffin allegedly pocketed the entire $250,000, using it for personal expenses. She wasn’t sharing the wealth, and the family got nothing for their money.

If convicted, Ruffin faces up to 20 years in the slammer, plus a hefty $250,000 fine and supervised release. The FBI handled the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni is prosecuting the case.

It’s crucial to remember an indictment isn’t a conviction. Ruffin is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.