A Louisiana mayor is facing criminal charges after authorities say she illegally collected thousands in public benefits.
Alice Wallace, the Democrat mayor of Winnsboro, Louisiana, was arrested and charged with six counts of Medicaid fraud after investigators alleged she improperly received about $75,000 in benefits.
According to the accusations, Wallace unlawfully obtained taxpayer-funded assistance she was not entitled to receive. Officials have not yet released full details on how the alleged fraud was carried out or over what time period it happened.
Wallace, however, is pushing back hard.
She reportedly claimed the charges are simply the “devil” trying to embarrass and discredit her, framing the case as an attack rather than criminal wrongdoing.
The arrest has quickly sparked backlash online, with critics calling it another example of public officials abusing systems meant to help struggling families. Supporters, meanwhile, argue everyone deserves due process until the facts are fully presented in court.
The case is especially explosive because it involves an elected official accused of taking funds from a healthcare safety-net program designed for low-income residents.
If convicted, Wallace could face significant legal penalties, along with serious political fallout.
For now, the mayor’s future in office may depend on what prosecutors can prove next.