A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges related to a scheme to defraud the Louisiana Department of Education.
Guilty Plea in Louisiana Education Fraud Case
Demietriek Scott, 50, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving Louisiana Child Care Assistance Provider (LaCAP) grant money, federal court officials announced Wednesday. The LaCAP funds are intended to support childcare providers during federally declared major disasters or emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details of the Scheme
Scott, together with previously convicted Romney Manuel, manipulated spreadsheets and data systems used by the Louisiana Department of Education to fraudulently obtain $74,250 in federal grant money between April 2020 and March 2021. A federal judge stated that both men exploited the system for personal gain.
Following the investigation, Manuel was terminated from his position as a program consultant in the Office of Early Childhood Operations. Both Scott and Manuel now face up to 30 years in federal prison and potential fines of up to $1 million.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to protect disaster-related funds from fraud and ensure public resources are used appropriately.
