AG Jeff Landry Makes Arrest on 201 Counts of Forgery, 2 Counts of Identity Theft

BATON ROUGE, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry has arrested a Baton Rouge man for Forgery and Theft of over $400,000 from the Louisiana Teacher’s Retirement System (TRSL). 

“As the son, brother, and nephew of teachers – I know firsthand the sacrifices our educators make for their students. They ply their trade not for the glitz and glamour, but instead to help the next generation,” said General Landry. “So it is absolutely despicable for someone to take advantage of a program designed to reward teachers for their hard work and service. I hope this arrest today is a clear warning to would-be criminals looking to defraud our State or her people.” 

Lester Joseph II, 42 of Baton Rouge, was arrested on 201 counts of Felony Theft (over $750, but less than $5,000) and 2 counts of Identity Theft. Joseph allegedly forged his father’s signature on beneficiary checks and cashed them from 1999-2016, illegally collecting approximately $462,423.

According to the report by the TRSL – Ms. Ruby Joseph died in 1997 and listed her husband, Lester Joseph Sr., as her beneficiary. Joseph, Sr. began receiving benefits in January 1998 but died in October 1998. Unaware of his death – the TRSL continued sending the elder Joseph his survivor benefit checks, which were allegedly received and cashed by his son. 

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