Press Releases
THIBODAUX WOMAN SENTENCED IN HURRICANE KATRINA RELATED FEMA FRAUD
April 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LINDA SOUTHALL, age 49, a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was sentenced to three (3) years probation and restitution in the amount of $2,376.82 after pleading guilty to a felony charge of theft of government money, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, on September 5, 2005, SOUTHALL filed claims for FEMA benefits stating that her automobile and personal property were damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina. On September 26, 2005, FEMA sent SOUTHALL a direct deposit check in the amount of $500 for transportation assistance and $576.83 for personal property. On November 11, 2005, SOUTHALL appealed the award and on January 31, 2006, received on a supplemental FEMA payment of $1,300 via direct deposit for a total award of $2,376.82. SOUTHALL entered a plea of guilty on November 28, 2007 before U. S. District Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan admitting that she did not sustain any damage to her automobile or personal property and was therefore not entitled to any FEMA benefits.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.
