Press Releases
HAMMOND WOMAN INDICTED FOR DEFRAUDING AMERICAN RED CROSS
June 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CYNTHIA McGOWAN, 27, a resident of Hammond, LA, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury today on one-count of wire fraud relating to fraudulent applications she made to the American Red Cross for financial assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the indictment, the American Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up to $1,565 available to those affected by the hurricanes of 2005 on a one-time only basis. It is alleged that on at least nine separate occasions between September 2005 and October 2005, McGOWAN, applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross. According to the charges, McGOWAN fraudulently obtained $12,520 from the American Red Cross.
If convicted, McGOWAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years and a $250,000 fine.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman.
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