Press Releases
COVINGTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY
IN FEDERAL COURT TO FEMA FRAUD
September 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jim Letten, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and James Bernzzani, Jr. Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today that RENE MONROE LASALLE, age 32, of Covington, pled guilty to making false statements regarding his application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance benefits. LASALLE pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Martin L. C. Feldman to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, Material False Statements to the United States. LASALLE, who at the time Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, was incarcerated in the work release program of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in Slidell, Louisiana. On September 18, 2005, LASALLE applied for Expedited Assistance (EA) funds from FEMA, the $2,000 many evacuees received from FEMA. LASALLE indicated in his application that he had essential needs for “food, clothing or shelter,” and that he had “disaster related moving and storage expenses,” when in truth he had none because he was in the custody of the State of Louisiana. Further, LASALLE indicated in his application that he lived in Covington, Louisiana when he was really in state custody. The maximum sentence LASALLE could receive is five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. As in any federal criminal case, the United States Sentencing Guidelines will be taken into consideration by the court. Sentencing is set for December 14, 2006.
Speaking to today’s plea, U. S. Attorney Jim Letten said:
“This case is a strong signal of the U. S. Department of Justice’s absolute commitment to investigate and prosecute any and all fraudulent attempts - no matter how large or small - to steal by fraud monies destined to help the recovery of those citizens who were legitimately displaced and harmed by Hurricane Katrina. No abuse, fraud, theft or attempt to abuse the system will be tolerated. Indeed, the U. S. Department of Justice and our partners throughout federal law enforcement, will dedicate and employ all assets necessary to punish and deter anyone from corruptly taking advantage of relief efforts.”
Jim Bernazzani, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, added:
“Prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the FBI’s threshold for fraud against the Government investigations was the loss of a minimum of $1 million. After the hurricanes, the FBI dropped this threshold to zero demonstrating the FBI’s commitment to ensure that the citizens of Louisiana victimized by the storms would not again be victimized by criminal element. Rooting out all hurricane relief fraud, to include FEMA fraud, is critical to ensure the full and successful recovery for the people of Louisiana.”
Special Agent in Charge Bernazzani also reminded the public that if they have any information indicating fraudulent activity relating to hurricane relief, the public can call a toll free number, 1-800-CALL FBI (1-800-225-5324) 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI assigned to the Katrina Fraud Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. and Jon Maestri.
