Louisiana Accountant Charged with Misappropriating Funds from Band She Once Worked For

Louisiana – On November 15, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the filing, on November 10, 2022, of a one-count bill of information charging Alice C. “Shannon” Chabaud, age 79, of New Orleans, Louisiana with access device fraud in relation to her theft from her former accounting client, a New Orleans-based band named as “Band A” in the bill of information.

Chabaud is accused of illegally accessing Band A's bank accounts after her employment as the band's accountant was terminated in 2015. She stole $207,607.95 from Band A without the knowledge or agreement of the band members from the time she was fired in September 2015 until May 2020.

If convicted, Chabaud faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine or the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, and up to three years of supervised release. She would also be required to pay a $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely an accusation and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans applauded the FBI's New Orleans Field Office for its diligence in investigating this case. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne.