New Orleans, Louisiana - Penelope Passero, a 50-year-old resident of Westwego, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. According to court documents, Passero illegally accessed and converted approximately $59,320.97 in Social Security Administration and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds between February 2016 and December 2020.

Passero faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2024, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

This case is part of the Department of Justice's efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud. In May, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to investigate and prosecute criminal actors who have taken advantage of relief programs. The Task Force aims to prevent fraud by identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent schemes and sharing information gained from prior enforcement efforts.

The U.S. Attorney's Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, in this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.