Agents from the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, operating under Attorney General Liz Murrill, have arrested a Chalmette woman for allegedly embezzling nearly $6,000 from a New Orleans apartment complex.
The investigation began after the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) asked for assistance regarding fraud allegations. LWC staff noticed that money orders submitted by Nakisah Whitaker, a claimant who had received an overpayment of Unemployment Insurance, appeared to be altered.
Agents determined that the money orders originated from tenants at a New Orleans apartment complex where Whitaker was previously employed as a manager. She had been terminated from her position for unauthorized use of the company’s credit card, making over $900 in purchases without permission.
According to investigators, while managing the apartment complex, Whitaker stole and altered tenants’ money orders and falsified internal records. She then submitted these fraudulent money orders to LWC as payments toward her personal debt. The scheme resulted in approximately $5,964 being embezzled from the apartment complex through redirected rental payments.
Based on their findings, agents secured an arrest warrant through Orleans Parish District Court. Whitaker faces charges including forgery, bank fraud, computer fraud, felony theft over $5,000, and identity theft.
She was arrested on February 23 in New Orleans and booked at the Orleans Parish Jail. Her bond amount has not been disclosed. The investigation remains ongoing.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Louisiana Department of Justice provides legal services across the state under Attorney General Liz Murrill and serves as the primary legal office for Louisiana through an independently elected attorney general (official website). The department also works to preserve state culture and heritage and protect constitutional rights while offering legal resources for citizens (official website). Murrill has led efforts challenging federal overreach in more than 35 cases (official website).