Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a woman from Pensacola, Florida for Government Benefits Fraud on Thursday, July 31.

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation received a request for assistance from Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) regarding allegations of fraud

TRSL officials had learned an unknown person(s) has been fraudulently receiving benefits in the name of TRSL member Loretta Jacobs, who has been deceased since December 2011. 

During this investigation, LBI agents discovered evidence identifying 49-year-old ILA Marcela Jacobs, the deceased retiree’s daughter, as the perpetrator. Evidence also disclosed that, in the period between December 2011 and April 2024, ILA Jacobs defrauded the TRSL of more than $269,000. 

ILA Jacobs was arrested on July 28th by authorities in Pensacola, FL on LBI’s arrest warrant was issued by the 19th Judicial District Court pertaining to charges of Government Benefits Fraud.

On Thursday, July 31st, agents extradited Jacobs from Florida and booked her without incident at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.   

No word on her bond amount at this time.

"The Attorney General's Office is on a roll with these Government Benefits Fraud arrests - protecting the money of the hard-working taxpayers of this State. If you are illegally receiving government benefits and taking advantage of the system here in Louisiana, even if you live in a completely different state like this woman, we will find you and bring you back for Louisiana justice," said Attorney General Murrill.

The investigation is ongoing.

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.