Louisiana OIG

Lafayette Woman Sentenced for Defrauding USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program

Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, 35, of Rayne, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 6, 2025, to a year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Babineaux served as Senior Program Manager for Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc. (RNA), a Sponsoring Organization for the federal food program administered by the Louisiana Department of Education, and submitted fraudulent claims for payment. Babineaux's father Brian Desormeaux and sister Amy Desormeaux Hernandez have each pleaded guilty and are scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2026. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General.

Six Defendants Indicted for Louisiana CDL Bribery Scheme

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the August 28, 2025 indictment of six individuals for a bribery scheme enabling drivers to obtain a commercial driver's license without any federally mandated training or testing. The indictment charges Mahmoud AlHattab with orchestrating the scheme by bribing two Office of Motor Vehicles employees to complete knowledge tests for applicants, two truck driver training business operators to falsely report training completion, and a third examiner to fabricate skills test score sheets.

Lafayette Father and Daughters Sentenced for Child Nutrition Fraud

Brian Paul Desormeaux (64) was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on February 3, 2025, for leading a yearslong conspiracy to defraud the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program. His daughters Amy Desormeaux Hernandez (38) and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux (35) were each sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud convictions. The scheme involved submitting false fire marshal inspection reports and claims for inactive providers, diverting over $500,000 in federal nutrition funds for personal use.