New Orleans Woman Charged for Theft of More Than $88,000 in Government Funds

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana:

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ALINE JAMES, a/k/a “Aline Foster” (“JAMES”), age 50, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on March 10, 2023 for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

According to the indictment, beginning in or around September 2012, and continuing until in or around December 2020, JAMES collected approximately $88,298.00 in Social Security Administration and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES ACT”) funds to which she was not entitled.

If convicted, JAMES faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.