Lafayette, Louisiana - A Lafayette man who led a yearslong scheme to defraud a federal child nutrition program has been sentenced to three years in federal prison, and his two daughters have received prison terms as well, federal prosecutors announced.

On Feb. 3, 2025, Brian Paul Desormeaux, 64, of Lafayette, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy that targeted a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition assistance program. His daughters and co-conspirators, Amy Desormeaux Hernandez, 38, and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, 35, both of Lafayette, were each sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison following their convictions for wire fraud.

Babineaux was sentenced in November 2024. Hernandez was sentenced on the same day as her father.

The case centers on misuse of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal program operated by the USDA and administered in Louisiana by the Louisiana Department of Education. The CACFP is designed to reimburse eligible child care centers, after-school programs, and adult care facilities for providing nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in need.

Federal Prosecutors: Scheme “Stole Food Out Of The Mouths Of Louisiana’s Children”

Federal authorities said the Desormeaux family used their positions and a nonprofit organization to steal more than half a million dollars intended to feed vulnerable children and adults.

“The Desormeauxs’ shameful scheme stole food out of the mouths of Louisiana’s children to satisfy their own greed, and they’re now heading to federal prison as a result,” U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana said in a statement.

“Protecting Louisiana’s children from financial and other abuses is one of our Office’s core missions, and this case shows our commitment, alongside our federal and state partners, to investigate and prosecute these crimes to the fullest extent of the law,” Keller said.

Role Of Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc.

According to court documents, Desormeaux served as the executive director of Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc., a nonprofit sponsoring organization participating in the CACFP.

In the structure of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, sponsoring organizations like Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc. typically help manage the program for individual care providers. They collect documentation, submit reimbursement claims to the state agency overseeing the program, and distribute federal funds to approved child care providers and facilities that serve eligible meals.

Federal authorities say Desormeaux and his daughters turned that role into a vehicle for fraud.

How The Fraud Worked, According To Court Records

Over roughly five years, Desormeaux, Hernandez, and Babineaux submitted fraudulent claims for federal reimbursement, according to court filings. Their conduct included:

• Creating and submitting false Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal inspection reports
  These inspection reports were required documents for participation in the program and for receiving reimbursements. The defendants fabricated or falsified them to make it appear that certain providers met necessary safety requirements.
• Submitting reimbursement claims for providers they knew were not active
  The defendants submitted claims on behalf of alleged providers that were not actually participating in the program, effectively billing the federal government for meals and services that were never provided.
• Diverting funds for personal use
  Instead of passing reimbursements to legitimate providers or using them for program purposes, Desormeaux and his daughters diverted the money for their own personal use and benefit, according to prosecutors.

In total, the defendants received more than $500,000 in federal funds to which they were not entitled.

Federal And State Agencies Respond

Federal investigators emphasized that fraud in nutrition assistance programs harms both taxpayers and vulnerable populations who rely on these services.

“The Desormeauxs stole half a million dollars of money that was allocated to help hungry children and adults in Louisiana, and we will not tolerate that criminal behavior,” said Jonathan Tapp, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.

“The FBI is committed to work with our state and federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to root out fraud in Louisiana and make sure those responsible are held to account,” Tapp said.

Officials with the USDA’s oversight arm highlighted the importance of protecting the integrity of federal nutrition programs like CACFP.

“The defendants exploited the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program intended to provide nutritious meals to children in need,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “They fraudulently claimed to administer the assistance at childcare programs and instead used it as a vehicle for personal financial gain.”

“The USDA Office of Inspector General remains committed to protecting the integrity of USDA nutrition programs and safeguarding taxpayer dollars. We appreciate the strong partnership of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in holding those who commit fraud accountable,” Walk said.

Agencies Involved In The Investigation And Prosecution

The case was investigated by multiple agencies at the federal and state levels, underscoring the coordinated approach to combating fraud in federal benefit programs:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Louisiana Office of Inspector General
• United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG)

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel, with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle, in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller formally announced the sentences.