⏱ 2 min read
Zoe Marie Francis, the 47-year-old former chief operating officer of the New Orleans-based non-profit Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (IWES), has been sentenced to three years of probation for stealing federal funds. The theft occurred in New Orleans, where Francis used her position to embezzle money for personal expenses, including unauthorized pay increases and Amazon purchases. The crime was committed over an unspecified period, but Francis pleaded guilty on January 7, 2026, and was sentenced on June 24, 2026. The motive behind the theft appears to be personal gain, as Francis used the funds to benefit herself and her family members.
According to court documents, Francis used falsified contracts to hide her unauthorized expenses and invoices, and granted herself pay increases without permission. The total amount of money stolen is not specified, but Francis has agreed to pay at least $100,000 in restitution to IWES and forfeit at least $150,000 in funds she spent on unauthorized expenses.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle praised the work of the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case. Francis’s sentence includes 12 months of home detention and a $100 special assessment fee, in addition to the restitution and forfeiture she has agreed to pay.
The Department of Justice has been cracking down on federal funds theft in recent years, with the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division in April 2026. The division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people, and the Department’s work supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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