United States of America v. Zoe Marie Francis

New Orleans, Louisiana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(A).

Reported by Kent Morlan

Zoe Marie Francis, age 47, of New Orleans, was the chief operating officer of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (“IWES”), a non-profit organization based in New Orleans that received grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other federal funds. In that role, FRANCIS embezzled funds for the benefit of herself and family members, including unauthorized expenditures for personal events and Amazon purchases. Using her authority with IWES, FRANCIS used falsified contracts to hide these expenses and invoices, and she granted herself unauthorized pay increases.

On January 7, 2026, FRANCIS pleaded guilty before Judge Milazzo to Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A). Under the terms of FRANCIS’s plea agreement, FRANCIS agreed to pay at least $100,000 in restitution to IWES, and she also agreed to forfeit at least $150,000 in IWES funds that she spent on unauthorized expenses.

The Defendant was sentenced to three years of probation, twelve months of home detention and payment of a $100 special assessment fee . She was ordered to pay at least $100,000 in restitution.