New Orleans, Louisiana, resident Robert John, 46, has been charged with conspiring to commit student aid fraud, according to a recent indictment. John, from St. Bernard, Louisiana, was indicted on February 11, 2022, for his alleged involvement in a scheme to submit false applications for student loans and grants to two local community colleges.
The indictment charges John with one count of conspiring with others to submit fraudulent applications, using the names of seven different applicants. The applications contained false information for all applicants, and a few of the applicants did not even qualify for community college because they had not graduated high school or obtained GEDs.
According to the indictment, the Department of Education paid over $74,000 in loan and grant funds in connection with the fraudulent applications. If convicted, John faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to John or the gross loss to any victims, as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Evans praised the work of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in the application process for student aid. Students and parents must be cautious when applying for financial assistance to avoid falling victim to scams like the one allegedly perpetrated by John.
Robert John, a 46-year-old resident of St. Bernard, Louisiana, was indicted on February 11, 2022, for conspiring to commit student aid fraud. The indictment charges John with one count of conspiring with others to submit fraudulent applications for student loans and grants to two local community colleges.
The Department of Education paid over $74,000 in loan and grant funds in connection with the fraudulent applications. If convicted, John faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to John or the gross loss to any victims, as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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