Penelope Passero, Theft of Government Funds, Louisiana 2024

New Orleans, LA – In a shocking case of government corruption, 50-year-old Penelope Passero of Westwego, Louisiana, has plead guilty to Theft of Government Funds, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

According to court documents, Passero knowingly accessed and converted approximately $59,320.97 in Social Security Administration and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT) funds from February 2016 to December 2020.

The case is the result of an ongoing effort to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. In May 2024, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.

Penelope Passero is scheduled to be sentenced on December 3, 2024, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter. Passero faces a mandatory $100 special assessment fee in addition to the potential prison time and fine.

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

Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to 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 case highlights the importance of vigilance in preventing government corruption and the need for continued cooperation between government agencies and the public to combat pandemic-related fraud.