Louisiana Woman Faces up to 20 Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Embezzling from a Church

Louisiana – Anita Willene Hobdy, 68, of LaPlace, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 21, 2022, to wire fraud stemming from fraudulent charges made from the First Baptist Church of LaPlace, according to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

Hobdy was previously charged in a one-count information bill with wire fraud involving conduct from 2015 to 2021. According to court documents, Hobdy worked as a bookkeeper for a church’s daycare during which time he embezzled more than $175,000 from church accounts.

Hobdy could spend up to twenty years in prison. Hobdy also faces up to three years of supervised release after being released from prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss to Hobdy, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

The sentencing date has been set for October 27, 2022, by the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon.

The work of the US Secret Service and the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office was lauded by US Attorney Evans. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses.