Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, has been charged with stealing from the federal government.
The New Orleans hip-hop icon–whose real name is Freddie Ross Jr.–was charged with felony theft of government funds by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Tuesday. WWL-TV reports that the rapper is accused of lying about her income in order to receive subsidized housing vouchers through the Section 8 housing program between 2010 and December 2014.
Big Freedia took full responsibility for the issue and released a statement saying that it was an honest mistake, not an act of intentional theft. She has also said that she is working on finding a way to pay back the nearly $34,000 that she is accused of stealing. Her statement reads:
This is an incredibly unfortunate situation. I was on subsidized housing for many years before my financial situation changed. I quickly found myself in a new economic structure and, frankly, knew little about how to handle my money. It wasn’t until recently (after I had stopped receiving housing vouchers) that it became very clear I had received assistance to which I wasn’t entitled. It was an oversight – but one that I take full responsibility for. From the moment I was contacted by Government agents, I have fully cooperated and have already begun making arrangements to pay full restitution (of approximately $34,000).
Housing vouchers are a vital lifeline for many people I know in New Orleans and around the country, including struggling artists. I truly believe there needs to be more programs for artists and musicians to teach basic financial literacy and planning. Coming from where I came from, I know that I could have used that kind of assistance. I’m exploring ways to be a part of the solution in this area and am looking forward to putting this matter behind me.
According to WWL-TV, Big Freedia faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years and $250,000 in fines if found guilty of the charges.
Her attorney, Tim Kappel, told the New Orleans Advocate that she was first contacted by investigators last November. Prosectuors then decided to charge her with a felony after denying her request to participate in a pre-trial diversion program.
Big Freedia will perform at Siberia in New Orleans this Saturday, March 5, and she is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday, March 16.
Over the past few years, Big Freedia has become a nationally-recognized star while bringing New Orleans bounce music to a wider audience. Her reality television program, Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce, is a bona fide hit, and her fanbase has grown tremendously as she’s toured around the country. 2015 was a particularly big year that saw her release a memoir (a cookbook is also in the works) and collaborate with Beyonce on the hit single “Formation.”
