Maurice, Louisiana Couple Convicted of Perjury Charges Related to Bankruptcy Assets

LAFAYETTE, LA—Thad Corey Theall, 52, and Theresa Theall, 51, both of Maurice, La., have been convicted by a federal jury in Lafayette, La., of perjury charges relating to bankruptcy assets, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced.

Thad and Theresa Theall were indicted in July of 2009, in a two-count indictment: count 1, concealment of bankruptcy assets false statement under penalty of perjury; and count 2, concealment of bankruptcy assets false oaths. Testimony during trial revealed that The Theall’s filed for bankruptcy on June 16, 2005, and in relation to that Bankruptcy Petition, failed to disclose information under the bankruptcy filings which were verified under penalty of perjury. This resulted in the concealment of proceeds of approximately $100,000.00 from the sale of property located on Ambassador Caffery Parkway. It was further revealed that while under oath during a meeting of creditors before the U.S. Trustee in August of 2005, The Theall’s provided false information regarding the sale of the Ambassador Caffery Parkway property to conceal the $100,000.00 proceeds. Thad Corey Theall was found guilty on both counts, and Theresa Theall was found guilty on count 1.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley stated: “The verdict is the result of the hard work of the prosecutors and the investigators involved in this case. It should be clear that the United States is serious about the integrity of the bankruptcy process and more serious about false statements made under penalty of perjury, while under oath. We will continue to prosecute these types of crimes so that the public is aware that statements made under oath, especially in bankruptcy proceedings, are taken seriously and are vital to the operation of our government and society. Honesty is integral to the way our court systems operate.”

At sentencing, Thad Corey Theall faces up to five years' imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, or both as to each count, and Theresa Theall faces up to five years' imprisonment, a $250,000.00 fine, or both for count 1. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lafayette Resident Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Myers P. Namie and James T. McManus.