Tracy C. Hartman, Lying to Federal Agents, Louisiana 2006

Grimy Times has learned that Tracy C. Hartman, 49, of Slidell, has been charged with lying to federal authorities.

A Bill of Information alleges that on or about April 20, 2012, Hartman made a false statement to federal authorities that she did not know the origin of a fraudulent letter claiming the SBA debt had been paid.

According to the Bill of Information, Hartman and her husband were approved for a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) disaster loan in the amount of $182,700 on or about January 4, 2006.

However, the couple defaulted on the loan and in or about June 2010, the SBA began garnishment proceedings for Mr. Hartman’s payroll checks from St. Bernard Parish.

In or about December 2011, the SBA stopped receiving the Hartman’s garnishment payments from St. Bernard Parish. A letter, purporting to be from the SBA, was received by St. Bernard Parish claiming the debt had been paid and to stop the garnishment. The letter was a forgery and was not prepared by the SBA.

Further investigation revealed that Hartman composed the letter.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hartman faces a possible maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, and/or a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/slidell-woman-charged-lying-federal-agents