Woman pleads guilty to stealing VA benefits

ALEXANDRIA, La. — A Ferriday woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 of her deceased aunt's Veterans Affairs benefits.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Tuesday that 45-year-old Linda Sue Bourgeois pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to one count of theft of government property or funds.

Court documents show that even though Bourgeois' aunt died in July 2007, Bourgeois did not inform Veterans Affairs and took the benefits from a shared bank account until March when the payments terminated. Bourgeois stole $107,452.

Bourgeois faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.

A sentencing date of Dec. 17 was set.

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