Topeka ? The former owner of a hair design school in Topeka has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and trying to hinder a federal investigation, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

Laurie Yocum, 36, of Rossville, was owner of the American Academy of Hair Design, which offered courses for students to become licensed cosmetologists and cosmetology instructors.

She was accused of falsifying information on applications for federal student financial aid, resulting in more than $98,000 in federal Pell Grants being awarded to academy students who were not entitled to receive them, said U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren.

Yocum was charged with 33 counts of wire fraud, one count of tampering with a witness and three counts of altering or destroying records. Another count seeks forfeiture of all proceeds from the alleged crimes.

The indictment alleges that Yokum submitted false information on forms, which made students eligible for grants they should not have received, or allowed them to receive more money than they should have.