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Former Slidell Resident Sentenced in $350K COVID Relief Fraud Case
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Former Slidell Resident Sentenced in $350K COVID Relief Fraud Case
A former Slidell resident has been sentenced in federal court after authorities said she fraudulently obtained more than $350,000 in pandemic relief funds intended for struggling businesses during the COVID era.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 42 year old Racquel Pichon was sentenced on April 14, 2026, after previously pleading guilty to making false statements and theft of government funds.
Federal prosecutors said Pichon submitted applications through a company called Exotica Beauty LLC for multiple relief programs created under the CARES Act. Investigators said the applications resulted in a Paycheck Protection Program loan of about $194,642, a $10,000 advance grant, and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan worth $149,900.
Officials stated some of the money was later used for personal spending, including thousands of dollars at upscale retail stores in New Orleans and purchases tied to an amusement park trip in Florida.
In total, prosecutors said more than $354,000 in federal relief funds were improperly obtained.
A federal judge sentenced Pichon to five years of probation, with the first 12 months to be served under home detention with electronic monitoring. She was also ordered to repay the stolen funds and pay mandatory court fees.
The case was investigated as part of ongoing federal efforts to track down fraud involving taxpayer-funded pandemic assistance programs.
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