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Alma Cafe owner Arrested for Defrauding Medicaid
Posted on 5/9/25 at 8:37 am
Posted on 5/9/25 at 8:37 am
Alma is an award winning Honduran restaurant located in New Orleans, located in the Bywater, just outside of the French Quarter. Alma is the flagship location of Araujo Restaurant Group and is a reflection of Owner and Executive Chef Melissa Araujo.
James Beard 2024/2025 Semifinalist for Best Chef in the South
James Beard 2024/2025 Semifinalist for Best Chef in the South
quote:
According to an arrest warrant obtained by WAFB, investigators reviewed Araujo’s bank statements. They found that from January 2022 to December 2024, she earned more than six figures annually while still receiving public assistance. Over that period, she allegedly deposited $3.1 million into her accounts through 1,266 transactions linked to 13 businesses she is associated with.
Detectives also found that during that time, Araujo purchased three properties valued at a combined $785,000. The warrant states that between June 2020 and September 2022 alone, her personal account received over $384,000.
This post was edited on 5/9/25 at 11:36 am
12
Posted on 5/9/25 at 9:27 am to GynoSandberg
Just opened a 2nd location and gets a lot of press
What an idiot if true
What an idiot if true
Posted on 5/9/25 at 9:33 am to Fun Bunch
I'll bet any amount of money to anyone that she makes this a Trump issue.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 9:52 am to Fun Bunch
Also planning on opening locations in the French Quarter and Nashville
Posted on 5/9/25 at 9:53 am to TheLegend
quote:
Also planning on opening locations in the French Quarter and Nashville
Yeah, about that
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:01 am to Fun Bunch
Taking home millions and buying properties while a lot of people in the industry are struggling. If this was John besh they’d be calling for the guillotine in Jackson square
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:03 am to GynoSandberg
It would have been really funny if it was Mason
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:07 am to GynoSandberg
Recently opened a spot in Mid-City on Carrollton Ave. and Bienville St.
Still has the canvas banner hung outside the building with Alma on it.
Guess it's going to be one of those "Grand Opening--------Grand Closing" things soon.
Still has the canvas banner hung outside the building with Alma on it.
Guess it's going to be one of those "Grand Opening--------Grand Closing" things soon.
This post was edited on 5/9/25 at 10:43 am
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:36 am to GynoSandberg
Hopefully she is deported after prison
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:42 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
Alma is an award winning Honduran restaurant located in New Orleans, located in the Bywater, just outside of the French Quarter.
What a dumb sentence
Posted on 5/9/25 at 10:43 am to GynoSandberg
There are many people who see Medicaid as cheap health insurance and a way to avoid the high cost of private insurance. So they lie to get qualified. Medical professionals, lawyers and apparently business owners. They don’t need Medicaid, they simply want it for the low cost, often for their kids. Problem is, they must defraud the government to get it which is a crime. They should be nailed for doing this.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:19 am to Big Jim Slade
quote:
There are many people who see Medicaid as cheap health insurance and a way to avoid the high cost of private insurance. So they lie to get qualified. Medical professionals, lawyers and apparently business owners. They don’t need Medicaid, they simply want it for the low cost, often for their kids. Problem is, they must defraud the government to get it which is a crime. They should be nailed for doing this.
This is pretty accurate. And as someone who has always been self employed I see how this can be a way considering the cost of private healthcare. I’ve paid a premium for my family for 45 years and it’s just an incredible amount of money that like everything else is just skyrocketing. I’d be happy if it just leveled off. I mean I’m roughly $40k out of pocket before it covers.
And for her-not the best political climate to get caught defrauding the government. She’s liable to end up in a prison in the Congo. Unless she’s blonde and has big tits. Then maybe south Florida.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:34 am to GynoSandberg
Maybe I’m just not understanding but the title says Medicare, she is allegedly committing Medicaid fraud.
Araujo is said to have misrepresented her income in order to collect Medicaid benefits totalling $55,000.
Right now, Araujo is free on bond. If convicted, she faces up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
Araujo is said to have misrepresented her income in order to collect Medicaid benefits totalling $55,000.
Right now, Araujo is free on bond. If convicted, she faces up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:42 am to Stamps74
Araujo released this statement after her arrest: “Following the news that broke yesterday, I want to acknowledge the situation and make it clear that I am fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. I believe in transparency and I trust that the process will ultimately bring the truth to light and I will be cleared of these charges. My attorney has been, and will remain, in communication with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office. At this time, I ask for patience and privacy as the facts are thoroughly examined.”
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:54 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
Araujo released this statement after her arrest: “Following the news that broke yesterday, I want to acknowledge the situation and make it clear that I am fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. I believe in transparency and I trust that the process will ultimately bring the truth to light and I will be cleared of these charges. My attorney has been, and will remain, in communication with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office. At this time, I ask for patience and privacy as the facts are thoroughly examined.”
I look forward to hearing her explanation of this matter.
Posted on 5/9/25 at 11:59 am to Gris Gris
Her real explanation is that she did it but is trying to cut a deal to pay whatever is owed and move on
Posted on 5/9/25 at 12:17 pm to Fun Bunch
Where is she making all that money?
I follow her on Instagram and she seems nuts. She has a food truck and a motorcycle & always buying shite. Newer build in Arabi I think too
I follow her on Instagram and she seems nuts. She has a food truck and a motorcycle & always buying shite. Newer build in Arabi I think too
Posted on 5/9/25 at 12:18 pm to Lester Earl
Good question. The original Alma does well but not this well, not even close
Posted on 5/9/25 at 12:51 pm to Fun Bunch
Wish I could steal $55k and simply cut a deal
Posted on 5/9/25 at 1:09 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
Recently opened a spot in Mid-City on Carrollton Ave. and Bienville St.
Still has the canvas banner hung outside the building with Alma on it.
In that little strip mall area? Seems like a restaurant graveyard.
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