NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that AMANDA CANGELOSI (“CANGELOSI”), age 39, was indicted on August 22, 2025, for conspiracy to make and pass counterfeit United States currency, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and passing counterfeit one hundred dollar bills, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 472.
According to the indictment, CANGELOSI, conspired with others to manufacture counterfeit one-hundred-dollar bills and used the counterfeit bills to pay for goods and services. CANGELOSI and her co-conspirators used genuine $1 bills to create the counterfeit $100 bills all to deceive merchants into believing the currency was a genuine $100 bill. CANGELOSI is charged with knowingly passing three counterfeit $100 bills to pay for a hotel stay at a hotel in Metairie, LA. If convicted of conspiracy, CANGELOSI faces up to five years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted of passing counterfeit currency. If convicted of both counts, she also faces, up to a $500,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. CANGELOSI also may be ordered to pay restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Secret Service and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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