THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

EASTERN DISTRICT of LOUISIANA

NEWS

SHANERA WASHINGTON-SYLVE, age 46, a resident of Marrero, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count bill of information filed today for financial aid fraud, announced U. S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.

According to the Bill of Information, WASHINGTON-SYLVE submitted or caused to be submitted false Free Application for Federal Student Aid ("FAFSA") forms, on behalf of her daughter for the 2009 through 2013 academic years, falsely stating that she was "single". As a result of WASHINGTON-SYLVE's false statements in the applications, her daughter fraudulently received approximately $23,196 in Federal Pell Grants from the United States Department of Education, an agency and department of the United States.

If convicted, WASHINGTON-SYLVE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a $20,000 fine, three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.

U. S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.