A transgender activist celebrated in a PBS documentary as an “icon of inclusivity” has pleaded guilty to defrauding taxpayers of over $115,000 in COVID relief funds while simultaneously stealing identities on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.
Story Snapshot
- Brandon Jarreau (aka Brandi) fraudulently obtained $115,000 in COVID relief loans for fake companies
- PBS featured Jarreau in 2021 documentary “A Fine Girl” as transgender trailblazer and aspiring salon owner
- Criminal activity escalated to identity theft using stolen wallets and phones from Bourbon Street victims
- Jarreau faces up to 15 years in prison with sentencing scheduled for August 2025
From Documentary Star to Federal Criminal
Brandon Jarreau appeared to embody the American dream. The New Orleans hairstylist graced PBS screens in 2021’s documentary “A Fine Girl,” portrayed as a transgender entrepreneur breaking barriers and planning to open a luxury salon. Behind the inspiring narrative, however, Jarreau was orchestrating a systematic fraud scheme that would eventually land them in federal court facing serious prison time.
The contrast between public persona and private actions reveals a troubling pattern of deception that began during the height of the pandemic crisis. While small businesses across America struggled to survive lockdowns, Jarreau exploited emergency relief programs designed to help legitimate entrepreneurs weather the storm.
The COVID Relief Fraud Operation
Jarreau’s criminal enterprise began in 2020 when pandemic relief funds became available through programs like the Paycheck Protection Program. The scheme involved creating entirely fictitious companies to justify loan applications, ultimately securing $95,000 in the first fraudulent transaction. The Department of Justice estimates that between $200-400 billion in improper payments occurred across COVID relief programs, making cases like Jarreau’s part of a much larger pattern of abuse.
The fraud continued into 2021, with Jarreau submitting additional bogus applications that netted another $20,000 for a second nonexistent company. Ironically, this was the same period when PBS was filming and promoting Jarreau as a symbol of entrepreneurial success and transgender achievement, completely unaware of the federal crimes being committed simultaneously.
Identity Theft Escalation on Bourbon Street
By late 2024, Jarreau’s criminal activities had escalated beyond loan fraud to direct identity theft. Operating in New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street entertainment district, Jarreau began stealing wallets and phones from unsuspecting victims. The stolen personal information was then used to make fraudulent charges on businesses registered under Jarreau’s name, creating an additional revenue stream from criminal activity.
The New Orleans Police Department issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for Jarreau, who subsequently surrendered to authorities. This pattern of escalating criminal behavior suggests that the initial COVID fraud may have been just the beginning of a longer criminal career, rather than an isolated incident during desperate pandemic times.
Media Narrative Meets Criminal Reality
Newsmax crime correspondent Jason Mattera highlighted the stark contradiction between Jarreau’s media portrayal and criminal actions, stating: “While PBS was hyping Brandon/Brandi as an icon of inclusivity, that same person was busy perfecting the art of the steal.” This case raises uncomfortable questions about media vetting processes and the dangers of creating heroic narratives without thorough background investigations.
The Department of Justice has emphasized that their prosecution efforts target COVID fraud regardless of the defendant’s background or media profile. This approach reflects a broader crackdown on pandemic-related financial crimes that has resulted in over 1,000 cases and the recovery of billions in fraudulent payments. Jarreau’s case demonstrates that no amount of positive media coverage provides immunity from federal prosecution when crimes are committed.
Sources:
DOJ Fights COVID Fraud in Georgia
