Former Harahan Police Officer Charged with Obtaining Property by Fraud

NEW ORLEANS, LA—CAROL NEY, age 63, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count bill of information with obtaining property by fraud concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the bill of information, NEY was employed as a police officer by the City of Harahan. During that time, the City of Harahan received a sub-grant from the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice which provided federal funds for overtime costs to provide services to victims of crime. Further, according to the bill, NEY served as both the project director and the victim assistance advocate who was supposed to provide direct services to victims of crime under the grant. It is alleged that during the years 2009 and 2010, NEY submitted payroll forms which had been falsified, either because she did not perform the victim assistance services she claimed, or because she performed them during regular work hours when she already was being compensated by her regular salary from the City of Harahan. Based on these fraudulent payroll forms, NEY was paid a total of $10,840.

U.S. Attorney Letten expressed his gratitude to Jacob M. "Mac" Dickinson, Chief of Police, City of Harahan, for his and his agency’s assistance and cooperation in this matter.

If she is convicted, NEY faces a possible maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

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

The case is being investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Gleason.