New Orleans Lawyer Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that TANZANIKA RUFFIN, age 48, of New Orleans, pled guilty to the indictment pending against her for wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343.

According to court documents, RUFFIN was an attorney with a law office in New Orleans. RUFFIN was retained to represent Client 1 in a criminal case in Orleans Parish in August 2025. RUFFIN falsely informed Client 1 and Client 1's parents that a police officer had suffered various harms as a result of Client 1's actions. RUFFIN told Client 1's family that the District Attorney's Office required Client 1 to pay $250,000 in restitution. As a result, Client 1's parents sent RUFFIN $250,000 towards a "settlement" with the police officer. RUFFIN then spent all of the money on personal and unauthorized expenses. In truth and in fact, neither the District Attorney's Office nor the police officer had requested any funds from Client 1.

"Today, Tanzanika Ruffin admitted her criminal conduct and pled guilty to wire fraud, admitting that she breached her legal and ethical obligations as an attorney by defrauding her client of $250k," said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. "As a licensed attorney, the defendant had a duty to protect her clients and uphold the law. Instead, she chose to exploit that position of trust for her own financial gain. This guilty plea is the proper result for the victims who were harmed by the defendant's scheme. This outcome sends an unmistakable message to the community-the rules apply to everyone. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute fraud, regardless of the defendant's title, stature in the community, or professional standing."

RUFFIN faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years of imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A mandatory $100 special assessment fee is also applicable.

United States District Judge Anna St. John set sentencing for December 3, 2026.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. United States Attorney David I. Courcelle, Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana L. Wright of the Financial Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.

* * *