Federal officials have arrested Trisha Patel, an Orlando businesswoman, in connection with a multi-million-dollar scheme involving fraud with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a Tennessee financial company. Patel allegedly defrauded the agencies of over $7 million in 2021. Some of the money from the scheme made its way to various Louisiana politicians and the state Democratic Party through political action committees run by Blake Corley, a New Orleans-based attorney and business associate of Patel. Corley, who is also Madison O’Malley’s fiancé, expressed shock and disappointment over Patel’s arrest, denying any knowledge of the fraud.
According to federal documents, Patel and her husband Nikesh, who is currently serving a multi-decade fraud sentence, created a fake loan scheme involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture, netting them millions of dollars. The money was allegedly used for personal expenses, including donations to political groups. The Patels, through their businesses and associates, donated significant amounts to political action committees, including those supporting U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, state Rep. Neil Riser, and failed state House candidate Madison O’Malley.
The scheme also extended outside Louisiana, with donations being made to candidates in other states. Following Patel’s arrest, some recipients of the donations, including Rep. Krishnamoorti and Rep. Jackson, have pledged to donate the funds to charity. The case has raised questions about the influence of fraudulent money in political campaigns, with some candidates facing pressure to return donations. The investigation is ongoing, and Patel is currently awaiting trial, restricted to Florida and having relinquished her passport.
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