United States Attorney Duane A. Evans dropped a bombshell in the Big Easy, announcing that Dean Meilleur, 57, of Slidell, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to swindling the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) out of $147,400 through fraudulent means.
According to court documents, Meilleur, a resident of Slidell, submitted falsified writings and documents to the SBA to secure Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDL). His deceitful applications claimed ownership of a trucking business since 2017, which he falsely claimed qualified him for EIDL funds.
The scam unraveled when Meilleur pocketed $147,400 from the SBA despite his ineligibility. The justice system is now poised to mete out severe punishment as the defendant faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Meilleur’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 17, 2024. The court will also determine the amount he must pay in restitution to the SBA. The defendant has agreed to these terms as part of his plea deal.
The Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) encourages anyone with information regarding COVID-19 fraud to report it by calling 866-720-5721 or filing a complaint online at this link.
The prosecution of Meilleur has been a team effort. U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde, head of the Public Integrity Unit, led the charge against the defendant.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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