Louisiana Woman Sentenced in Connection with Theft of $38K+ in Social Security and Cares Act Funds

Louisiana – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Nicole Cockerham (“Cockerham”), age 43, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced on October 18, 2022, for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

Cockerham knowingly converted roughly $38,851.00 in monies from the Social Security Administration and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES ACT") between March 2019 and July 2020, as evidenced by records presented in a federal court, according to the filings.

Cockerham was given the following terms of probation by United States District Judge Wendy D. Vitter: three years of supervision, restitution in the amount of $37,651.00 to the Social Security Administration and $1,200.00 to the Internal Revenue Service, 100 hours of unpaid community service, and payment of a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.

During the course of their investigation into this matter, the United States Attorney's Office would also like to express their gratitude to the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and the Inspector General for Tax Administration at the United States Department of Treasury for their assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba, who is also the Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution of this particular case.

Related: Louisiana Woman Charged with Theft of Social Security & CARES Act Funds