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Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 41 Months of Imprisonment for Embezzling Funds from the New Orleans Firefighter Pension and Relief Fund

by | Jul 13, 2022 | Enforcement Updates

July 13, 2022

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

According to Court documents, Triche was responsible for managing a portion of the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund’s (“NOFPRF”) investments. Rather than return the profits earned to the NOPRF, TRICHE embezzled approximately $937,658.77 and used those funds 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, resulting in tax due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $329,895.00.

“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.”

“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.”

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