A Mamou woman said a gambling problem led her to use a Eunice company’s credit cards to steal about $80,000, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Megan Reed Francois, 33, of the 2200 block of Duculus Road, Mamou, was arrested on April 22 for access device fraud.
The affidavit for the arrest warrant stated Jeffery Derouen met with a St. Landry Parish Sheriff deputy at the Eunice substation about a embezzlement on April 15.
DeRouen owns Prairie Cajun Brands and Go Fish Freight, all located at 1277 Hwy. 757, Eunice.
DeRouen said a former employee, Francois, had worked for him for more than three years, “but recently quit when he began questioning her about money missing from the companies’ accounts.”
The affidavit continued, “Mr. DeRouen stated that Ms. Francois was altering the companies’ books, credit card statements and was misusing the companies’ credit cards for her own personal use and expenses.”
On April 16, DeRouen met with detective Crystal LeBlanc and provided her with copies of credit card statements.
“Det. LeBlanc after reviewing all of the paperwork submitted found that the statements had been altered in attempts to hide certain transactions. Det. LeBlanc then began to look as the statements provided by the credit card companies for the cards issued to Ms. Fancois and found a large amount of usages at the casinos in different areas ...” the affidavit stated.
“Ms. Francois stated that she has a gambling problem and is currently seeking help with her family’s support. Ms. Francois stated that she also used the cards at other businesses for personal usage. Ms. Francois stated that she wants to make restitution because she knows that what she did was wrong,” the affidavit stated.