Press Releases
WESTWEGO WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO KATRINA FRAUD
December 31, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LISA N. CAREY, age 43, a resident of Westwego, LA, pled guilty to one count of Theft of Government Funds related to Hurricane Katrina federal assistance before U. S. District Court Judge Jay Zainey, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, LISA N. CAREYapplied for FEMA and SBA benefits following Hurricane Katrina and stated in her applications that she resided in Springfield, Louisiana at the time of the alleged losses. Upon investigation, it was determined that CAREYdid not in fact reside at the Springfield address. Thereafter, CAREYsubmitted a false building permit, two false residential leases and two false furniture repair bills to the SBA to induce the SBA to release to the defendant funds from her business and home loans. The total loss to FEMA is $2,000 and to the SBA is $60,000. Under a plea agreement, the defendant has also agreed to full restitution to FEMA and the SBA.
Theft of Government funds carries a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00, three (3) year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and $100.00 special assessment. Sentencing of the defendant is to take place before Judge Zainey on March 24, 2009.
The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera.
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