Criminal Lawyer Indicted on Wire Fraud Charge in New Orleans Case Alleging $250,000 Theft

A criminal lawyer in New Orleans has been indicted on a wire fraud charge after prosecutors alleged she stole $250, 000 from a client’s family and used the money for personal expenses.

Federal grand jury returns indictment

Prosecutors said a federal grand jury indicted Tanzanika Ruffin, a New Orleans lawyer, after an investigation into allegations that she took hundreds of thousands of dollars tied to a client’s family. Ruffin is charged with wire fraud.

Prosecutors alleged Ruffin stole $250, 000 and spent it on personal expenses. They also alleged she lied about what the money was for.

Prosecutors seek surrender of property tied to alleged theft

In addition to the wire fraud charge, prosecutors said Ruffin has been ordered to surrender any property related to the allegedly stolen funds.

Further details about the case, including what prosecutors contend the money was claimed to be used for, were not provided in the available information.

What’s confirmed so far for the criminal lawyer case

The publicly stated allegations center on a single amount—$250, 000—described by prosecutors as taken from a client’s family and then used for personal expenses. Prosecutors also stated Ruffin allegedly misrepresented the purpose of the funds.

The case remains at the indictment stage based on the information available. No additional court dates, plea information, or statements from Ruffin were included in the details provided.