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The president of the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women was arrested on charges of forgery, theft and bank fraud Thursday following an investigation at her former employer's office.

Guadalupe "Lupe" Acosta, 57, had worked for the Daniel M. Landry III law firm for 25 years, according to a statement from Landry. Earlier this year, an internal investigation found that multiple forgeries and bank fraud had occurred at the firm, with losses of more than $100,000. The fraud allegedly began in 2005 and continued over the next three and a half years.

No clients' funds were involved, Landry said in the statement. Acosta was immediately terminated once the losses were discovered, and law enforcement agencies were notified. Louisiana State Police handled the investigation, the statement read.

"People who commit these offenses need to realize they will be caught, and I would encourage any employers who discover this criminal activity to prosecute this criminal offense to the fullest extent allowed under the law," Landry's statement read.

Acosta remained in jail as of Thursday evening, according to the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center Web site. She faces one count of theft and one count of bank fraud, both felonies, as well as 114 counts of forgery.

According to the commission's April 2009 newsletter, Acosta recently received the 2008 Louisiana State Paralegal Association Meritorious Service Award and has been involved in the legal field for 30 years, working as a paralegal since 1984. She has been a member of several legal organizations, including the Louisiana State Paralegal Association, Lafayette Paralegal Association, Southwest Louisiana Bankruptcy Bar Association and National Association of Legal Assistants.

In addition, she has served as a board member of Lafayette Volunteer Lawyers and a committee member of the Lafayette Parish Bar Association. Last year, she was elected to serve on the National Association on the Commissions for Women, the first woman from Louisiana to serve on the national board. She has also presented several seminars and been a guest speaker at local schools during career days.

As of Thursday, there was no indication that the alleged fraud involved any other organization.

Source: The Daily Advertiser

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