Press Releases
HAMMOND WOMAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING AMERICAN RED CROSS
October 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APOLONIA KIMBLE, age 23, a resident of Hammond, LA, was charged with wire fraud today in a one-count bill of information 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 bill of information, 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 five occasions between September 2005 and October 2005, KIMBLE applied for and ultimately received $5,725 in disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross to which she was not entitled.
If convicted, KIMBLE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a $250,0000 fine, restitution to the American Red Cross, and three (3) years of supervised release following imprisonment.
U. S. Attorney 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 was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman.
(Download Bill of Information 
)
