Press Releases
WOMAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA
May 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IRMA JEAN HANEY, age 45, a former resident of Natalbany, Louisiana, was charged in a one count bill of information with mail fraud, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to court documents, IRMA JEAN HANEY fraudulently applied for disaster assistance funds from the American Red Cross on five (5) separate occasions between September and October 2005. The Red Cross made disaster assistance funds of up to $1,565 available to those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 on a one-time only basis. In all, according to the bill of information, HANEY fraudulently obtained $6,260 from the American Red Cross.
The single count carries a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
IF convicted, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, three (3) years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Matt Chester.
(Download Bill of Information 
)
