Wanda Wells Cornish Guilty

WANDA WELLS CORNISH, age 46, of Ponchatoula, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite.

As the former Executive Director of the Ponchatoula Housing Authority (PHA), CORNISH served from 2011 to 2015, overseeing the overall operations of the PHA and managing its bank accounts. However, it was during this time that CORNISH abused her authority, using a PHA credit card to purchase items for her own personal use, totaling approximately $27,000.

CORNISH’s actions were a clear betrayal of the trust placed in her as the chief administrator of the PHA. Her misuse of government funds has resulted in a guilty plea, and she now faces a maximum of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The investigation into CORNISH’s activities was led by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, with U.S. Attorney Polite praising their work in bringing this matter to justice. Assistant Attorney Sean Toomey is in charge of the prosecution, which will continue with sentencing set for June 29, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.

The guilty plea of WANDA WELLS CORNISH serves as a reminder that those in positions of power will be held accountable for their actions. The theft of government funds is a serious crime, and CORNISH’s case will likely have significant repercussions for the PHA and its operations.

In the coming months, the full extent of CORNISH’s actions will become clearer, and the consequences of her guilt will be determined. For now, it is clear that her abuse of authority and misuse of government funds have resulted in a serious breach of trust, and she will face the appropriate penalties.

As the case of WANDA WELLS CORNISH continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in government institutions. The people of Ponchatoula and the residents of the PHA deserve better, and it is the hope of the U.S. Attorney’s office that this guilty plea will bring some measure of closure and justice to those affected.