Albert Paul Weber, age 42, of Harvey, Louisiana, and Cyntrelle Lash, age 39, of New Orleans, were indicted on April 24 for allegedly impersonating professional athletes to obtain fraudulent loans and threatening victims, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The indictment alleges that Weber and Lash stole the identities of athletes about to be drafted by NBA and NFL teams. They also used the identities of family members and others in order to deceive businesspeople and lenders into believing they were dealing with the actual athletes. Over several years beginning as early as 2016, more than $3.5 million was fraudulently obtained from victims before being laundered through multiple bank accounts.
In May 2025, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested both individuals after they attempted to use fake identification documents in connection with a loan for an athlete. After their release on bond, Weber allegedly began targeting basketball players with offers involving overseas trips that never occurred. When confronted by his victims about these schemes or missing funds, Weber is accused of threatening them and demanding additional money.
Weber and Lash face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering; Weber is charged with six counts of aggravated identity theft (Lash is named in one count), as well as interstate transmission of a threat. Each wire fraud or money laundering charge carries up to twenty years in prison; aggravated identity theft is punishable by two years per count consecutive to other sentences; interstate transmission of threats can result in up to five years per count plus supervised release periods. Fines may reach $250,000 per charge ($500,000 for money laundering) or twice the gross gain/loss involved.
Courcelle said: “An indictment is merely an allegation and that the defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Moses (Public Integrity Unit) and Christine Calogero (General Crimes Unit) are prosecuting.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana enhances community safety through law enforcement efforts according to its official website. The office operates under the Department of Justice according to its official website and enforces federal laws while prosecuting criminal cases according to its official website. The position is appointed by the President with Senate approval according to its official website.
The district covers Southeast Louisiana according to its official website, where it serves as chief federal law enforcement officer according to its official website. In addition to criminal prosecutions related to protecting residents in Southeast Louisiana—including this case—the office handles civil matters for federal government interests according to its official website.
