Accused of embezzling $550K, ex-OLOL CEO makes first federal court appearance Wednesday [View all]

The disgraced former head of the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation made his first federal court appearance Wednesday since being charged by federal prosecutors and told a U.S. magistrate he understood that he is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

John Paul Funes is expected to plead guilty next week when he appears before U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, Funes' attorney has said. Federal prosecutors on Wednesday did not ask that Funes be detained ahead of next week's hearing; he was freed under supervised release without having to post a bond.

Funes, 49, is accused of taking more than $550,000 from the nonprofit fundraising arm for his personal use. He appeared Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes and was accompanied by former U.S. Attorney Walt Green, who represents him.

Federal prosecutors have alleged Funes flew family and friends to LSU and New Orleans Saints football games under the guise of "patient transports" and stole gift cards intended for cancer victims.

Read more: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/article_5dfe16fe-8d25-11e9-bc1d-170747e1ff8c.html