Louisiana Man Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Nearly $1 Million from Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund and Tax Fraud

Louisiana – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on July 13, 2022, that on July 12, 2022, United States District Court Judge Greg Guidry sentenced Wayne Triche, 72, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 41 months (3 years, 5 months) in prison. Triche pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax fraud, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). Triche was ordered to pay the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund $937,658.77 in restitution, the Internal Revenue Service $329,895.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. He will serve a one-year supervised release term after his release from prison.

According to court documents, Triche was in charge of managing a portion of the investments of the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund (“NOFPRF”). Rather than returning the profits to the NOPRF, Triche embezzled $937,658.77 and used it for personal expenses such as a civil court judgment, credit card charges, and gambling. The tax fraud charges stem from Triche’s failure to claim the embezzled funds on his personal income tax returns, which resulted in $329,895.00 in tax due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service.

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that individuals like Mr. Wayne Triche who commit financial crimes to enrich themselves will be held accountable,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. “We thank our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Louisiana and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation for helping disrupt fraud and bringing justice to the victims.”

“Today’s sentencing exemplifies the patience and long arm of the law in its pursuit of financial fraud and criminal tax violations,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI’s Atlanta Field Office. “Mr. Wayne Triche perpetuated an elaborate scheme driven by his insatiable greed and a blatant disregard for the tremendous damage inflicted on the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund and its members. Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with our federal partners, will hold those who engage in similar behavior fully accountable.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight.