News Summary
Rachel Willis, a 48-year-old Patient Access Representative from Lafayette, has been arrested for forgery as she attempted to secure federal grant funds by falsifying a CEO’s signature. The fraudulent action was uncovered after an alert from the Louisiana Department of Health. Willis created a counterfeit letter claiming Our Lady of Lourdes would provide over $250,000 in matching funds for a grant application. The investigation is ongoing, emphasizing the need for strict ethical standards in financial operations.
Lafayette Woman Arrested for Forging CEO Signature for Federal Grant
A Lafayette woman, Rachel Willis, 48, has been arrested for forging a letter in an attempt to obtain federal grant funds. She was employed as a Patient Access Representative at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Willis is now facing a felony charge of forgery.
The investigation into Willis began after the Louisiana Department of Health alerted the Attorney General’s office regarding the alleged forgery. Willis is accused of creating and submitting a counterfeit letter that was made to look like it came from the CEO of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.
Details of the Allegations
According to investigators, Willis accessed the CEO’s signature through her official email account and unlawfully copied it onto the organization’s letterhead. This forged letter falsely committed Our Lady of Lourdes to provide over $250,000 in matching funds for a grant application being submitted to the Louisiana Department of Health under the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity Fund (HERO).
The grant proposal, which included the forged letter, had a preliminary award amount of nearly $600,000. Fortunately, the forgery was identified before any funds were disbursed.
Legal Consequences and Current Status
Willis has been booked at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and was released on a $2,500 bond. The investigation into her actions is still ongoing as authorities gather more details surrounding the forgery.
Background Information on the HERO Grant
The Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity Fund is designed to support healthcare training and education initiatives. The inclusion of the forged document was intended to enhance the legitimacy of Willis’s grant application, which is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of federally funded programs.
Forging documents for financial gain poses significant risks not only for individuals but also for organizations that rely on government funding to support critical healthcare services. Instances like this highlight the importance of maintaining strict ethical standards and comply with legal requirements in financial operations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KLFY: Lafayette Woman Arrested for Forging CEO Signature for Federal Grant
- Wikipedia: Forgery
- The Advocate: Lafayette Woman Charged with Forging CEO’s Signature
- Google Search: Forgery Consequences
- KPEL: Lafayette Woman Arrested for Forgery
- Google Scholar: Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity Fund
- KATC: Our Lady of Lourdes Unveils New Statue
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- KADN: Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital Eliminates Emergency Services
- Google News: Health Care Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
