Indictment of Former Grants Manager and Associate in Scheme to Steal Federal Funds

A scheme to exploit a program receiving federal funds led to the indictment of Kenneth Lawson and Areion Banks, two individuals accused of conspiracy and bribery. According to the indictment, Lawson, who was employed as a Grants Manager at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO), met Banks in March 2024 and devised a plan to steal checks made out to subgrantees. Lawson used his position to request grant payments and issue checks to companies, then caused the checks to be deposited into accounts under his or Banks' control. Banks would pay Lawson bribes in exchange for the stolen funds. The scheme involved the diversion of approximately $15,000 from OPSO and the use of a business account to request DOJ funds. Lawson also incorporated an entity, Williams James Assoc. LLC, and used it to carry out the scheme.

Key Takeaways:

• Lawson, a Grants Manager at OPSO, was accused of exploiting his position to steal federal funds from March 2024 to November 29, 2024.
• Lawson and Banks devised a scheme to steal checks made out to subgrantees and deposit the funds into their own accounts.
• Lawson used his position to request grant payments and issue checks to companies, then caused the checks to be deposited into his or Banks' control.
• Banks paid Lawson bribes in exchange for the stolen funds, with one bribe amounting to approximately $5,900.
• Lawson incorporated an entity, Williams James Assoc. LLC, and used it to carry out the scheme.
• The diversion of approximately $15,000 from OPSO was part of the scheme.
• Lawson directed DOJ to send $100,000 of a $3.907 million grant to a business account, without his supervisors' knowledge or authorization.
• Banks falsely posed as an OPSO employee to make the transaction appear legitimate.