Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) has arrested Brandon Brown, a landlord from Prairieville, on charges related to fraudulent receipt of emergency rental assistance funds. The investigation began after the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office reported possible fraud in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which is managed by the Louisiana Division of Administration’s Office of Community Development.
The ERAP was created to provide financial help for renters in Louisiana who faced housing instability due to the economic effects of COVID-19. According to investigators, Brown submitted false applications for emergency rental assistance. Authorities allege that he included tenants who did not apply for aid, listed individuals who did not live at the properties in question, falsely claimed ownership of certain rental properties, and overstated rent amounts on his applications.
Between March 2020 and June 2021, these actions led Brown to receive more than $78,000 in emergency rental assistance across multiple properties located in Ascension, Livingston, and St. John parishes.
Brown was arrested on November 19, 2025 by LBI agents based on an arrest warrant issued by the 19th Judicial District Court. He faces charges under LA.R.S. 14:67 Felony Theft by Fraud (over twenty-five thousand dollars). He was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
