NOLA Bounce Star Big Freedia Pleads Guilty To Felony Theft Related To Federal Housing Vouchers, Faces 10 Years In Prison.
Photo Credit John McCusker/The Advocate
Beloved New Orleans bounce star Big Freedia pleaded guilty to theft of government funds related to housing vouchers on Wednesday in a New Orleans federal court. Freedia faces a maximum of ten years in prison for the felony charge. She is accused of stealing more than $1000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A bill of information charged the internationally known Bounce music star with stealing more than $1,000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development between 2010 and 2014. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite's office accused her of continuing to receive housing assistance after she was making too much money to be eligible for it. Freedia had acknowledged in a March 1 statement she continued to receive aid as her fame quickly ascended and her "financial situation changed."
Big Freedia has reached a plea deal with the government to pay restitution of approximately $34,800 according to a report from The Times-Picayune. She is scheduled to be sentenced in New Orleans on June 16th.
