LSU Eunice Employees Plead Guilty To Theft

Two people accused of stealing money from Louisiana State University's Eunice campus have pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says Dr. Marvette Thomas and Carra Sergeant both pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth.

Dr. Thomas headed up the Office of Academic Affairs at LSU-E, and Sergeant was the assistant director in that department.

Finley says Thomas and Sergeant stole money from federal grants that were suppose to go to the Updward Bound and Student Support Services programs.

So what did they spend the money on?  Authorities says both women admitted to spending the money on clothes, accessories, electronics, cookware and gifts for people in their family, social circles and at work.

Auditors say that Thomas spent at least $68,000, while Sergeant spent $74,000.