NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - GWENDOLYN JOSEPH MOYO, age 51, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a fifteen-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1033(e), participation in business of insurance by a person previously convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

        According the indictment, MOYO was twice convicted in the District of Arizona for conspiracy to defraud the United States; making false statements; mail fraud; wire fraud; and fraudulent use of a Social Security number; all felony crimes involving dishonesty and breach of trust.  Those convictions occurred in 1989 and 1991 and MOYO was sentenced to a nine (9) year term of imprisonment.

        If convicted of the instant charges, MOYO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of $250,000.00 and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, as to each of the fifteen counts.

        The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael W. Magner and Gregory Kennedy.

        U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.