NOLA Woman Accused of Stealing $194K in Gov’t Funds

NEW ORLEANS – Dedra Bright, 64, of New Orleans, is facing federal charges for allegedly pilfering over $194,000 in government funds, according to an indictment unsealed today. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Bright was charged with Theft of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

The indictment alleges that Bright knowingly accessed and converted approximately $194,127.80 in funds originating from both the Social Security Administration and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – better known as the CARES Act – over a staggering 12-year period, stretching from November 2008 to November 2020. The details of how Bright allegedly carried out this scheme remain tightly guarded, but investigators claim the evidence paints a clear picture of deliberate misappropriation.

This isn’t just about numbers on a ledger. This is about funds intended for those who legitimately needed help, especially during a global pandemic. The CARES Act was a lifeline for many, and to allegedly exploit that system for personal gain is a particularly callous act. The Social Security Administration also provides vital support to vulnerable citizens, and any theft from that system is a direct assault on those who rely on it.

U.S. Attorney Evans was quick to emphasize a crucial point: this indictment is merely an accusation. “The indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” he stated. Bright is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and will have the opportunity to mount a defense against these serious allegations.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, with the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, playing a key role. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Moses and Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, are leading the prosecution. This case also falls under the umbrella of the Attorney General’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established in May 2021 to aggressively combat pandemic-related fraud.

Anyone with information regarding potential COVID-19 fraud is urged to come forward. Reports can be made by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline or submitting a complaint through the NCDF Web Complaint Form: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. The Department of Justice is determined to hold accountable those who exploit crises for personal enrichment.

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