BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that four more Louisiana residents were indicted and two more pled guilty today to fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

LAKRESHA SHANTELL PIERCE, age 25, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a four-count indictment with wire fraud (Count One), access device fraud (Count Two), and illegal use of Social Security numbers (Counts Three and Four). The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) provided funding for a variety of disaster-related programs, including disaster unemployment assistance (DUA). The Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL) administered the DUA program for residents of the State of Louisiana. DUA provided financial assistance to individuals whose employment had been interrupted or lost as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. The LDOL also administered the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program as part of the Social Security Act of 1935 to provide benefits to persons out of work through no fault of their own. The indictment alleges that in or about November 2005, PIERCE filed two fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits – one for DUA payments and the other for UI payments – using the names of people whom she knew did not exist and fraudulent Social Security numbers. It is further alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds totaling $7,764 to be transmitted from the LDOL into Chase debit card accounts set up by the LDOL for access by assistance recipients (in this case, PIERCE). If convicted on all counts, PIERCE faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, or both.

RAY LAWRENCE LUCAS, JR., age 28, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in an eight-count indictment with mail fraud (Counts One and Two), wire fraud (Counts Three through Five), access device fraud (Count Six), and illegal use of Social Security numbers (Counts Seven and Eight). The indictment alleges that from on or about November 7, 2005, through on or about November 22, 2005, LUCAS filed three fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits – two for DUA payments and one for UI payments – using the names of people whom he knew did not exist and fraudulent Social Security numbers. It is further alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds totaling $10,170 to be transmitted from the LDOL into Chase debit card accounts set up by the LDOL for access by assistance recipients (in this case, LUCAS). If convicted on all counts, LUCAS faces a maximum sentence of one hundred twenty years imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, or both.

SHALITHIA LAKALE DUNN, age 23, of Jackson, Louisiana, was charged in a five-count indictment with mail fraud (Counts One and Two), wire fraud (Count Three), access device fraud (Count Four), and illegal use of Social Security numbers (Count Five). The indictment alleges that from on or about November 28, 2005, through on or about November 30, 2005, DUNN filed two fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits – one for DUA payments and one for UI payments – using the names of people whom he knew did not exist and fraudulent Social Security numbers. It is further alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds totaling $8,234 to be transmitted from the LDOL into Chase debit card accounts set up by the LDOL for access by assistance recipients (in this case, DUNN). If convicted on all counts, DUNN faces a maximum sentence of seventy-five years imprisonment, a $1,250,000 fine, or both.

TONYA FAYE JARRELL, age 30, of Baker, Louisiana, was charged in a six-count indictment with wire fraud (Counts One and Two), access device fraud (Count Three), and illegal use of Social Security numbers (Counts Four through Six). The indictment alleges that on or about November 16, 2005, JARRELL filed a fraudulent claim for DUA benefits using a fraudulent Social Security number and falsely claiming that she had been employed in New Orleans, but had lost her employment because of Hurricane Katrina. The indictment further alleges that on or about November 30, 2005, JARRELL filed two fraudulent claims for DUA benefits, one in her minor daughter’s name and the other in her minor son’s name, using fraudulent Social Security numbers, and falsely claiming that these minors lost employment in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. It is alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds totaling $11,172 to be transmitted from the LDOL into Chase debit card accounts set up by the LDOL for access by assistance recipients (in this case, JARRELL). If convicted on all counts, JARRELL faces a maximum sentence of sixty-five years imprisonment, a $1,500,000 fine, or both.

The charges in these four indictments resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Zachary, Louisiana, Police Department.

ANDREW J. EALY, III, age 40, of Gonzales, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to a bill of information charging him with wire fraud in connection with the filing of applications for loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA provided assistance to the victims of disasters through low interest loans to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes and businesses. The bill of information charged that on or about October 21, 2005, EALY caused an application for a home repair loan to be submitted to the SBA, and that on or about April 18, 2008, EALY caused an application for a business loan to be submitted to the SBA. The bill of information charged that EALY caused false and fraudulent receipts and invoices to be sent via facsimile to the SBA to support the claims of repairs being performed, when in fact no such work had been done. The submission of the fraudulent receipts and invoices caused the SBA to approve and issue a home repair loan totaling approximately $94,000 and a business loan totaling approximately $125,500. The case was investigated by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of his guilty plea, EALY faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

CARRIE J. WILLIAMS, age 39, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to a bill of information charging him with aiding and abetting making false statements in connection with the filing of an application for a Road Home Grant. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and FEMA provided assistance to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through grants to homeowners to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes. In Louisiana, grants under this program were called Road Home Grants. The bill charged that in or about January 2008, WILLIAMS used false bill of sale and receipts with the forged the signature of another on them, thereby aiding and abetting the submission of false and fraudulent documents to HUD and FEMA in support of a Road Home Grant application. The submission of the fraudulent application resulted in a loss of approximately $28,966.60. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Today’s indictments bring the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred sixty-nine.

In September 2005, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, designed to deter, investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes such as charity fraud, identity theft, procurement fraud and insurance fraud. The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force – chaired by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division – includes the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and others.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443. Anyone suspecting criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can make an anonymous report by calling the toll-free Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline, 1-866-720-5721, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Information can also be emailed to the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force at HKFTF@leo.gov or sent by surface mail, with as many details as possible, to Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.

9 December FEMA Fraud - Another Pleads Guilty

ANOTHER PLEADS GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGE

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident pled guilty today in federal court to a charge of fraud related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

ANGELICA M. WILLIAMS, age 27, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to a bill of information charging her with aiding and abetting making a false statement in connection with the filing of a fraudulent application for disaster relief benefits. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided assistance to victims of the hurricanes, in part, through grants to homeowners to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes. In Louisiana, grants under this program were called Road Home Grants. The bill charged that on or about September 19, 2007, WILLIAMS applied for a Road Home Grant, claiming ownership of a storm damaged mobile home. According to the bill, WILLIAMS caused the signature of another to be forged on a false bill of sale and receipts, fraudulently representing that she was the prior owner of the mobile home. The bill charged that WILLIAMS submitted the fraudulent documents to HUD and FEMA in support of her application, resulting in a loss of approximately $28,966.60. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred sixty-five.

3 December FEMA Fraud - Two more Plead Guilty

ANOTHER PLEADS GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident pled guilty in federal court yesterday to a charge of mail fraud related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

TYLISHA D. BARNHILL, age 23, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. The stipulated factual basis contained in the plea agreement states that BARNHILL caused a false and fraudulent application to be filed for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits in which she falsely claimed to have been living in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina. The stipulated factual basis also stated that when contacted by FEMA regarding her application, BARNHILL created and submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA in an effort to conceal her fraud. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea to Count One, BARNHILL faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Counts Two and Three of the indictment when BARNHILL is sentenced on Count One.

JESSICA D. CAVALIER, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. The stipulated factual basis contained in the plea agreement states that CAVALIER filed a false and fraudulent application for FEMA benefits in which she falsely claimed that she was living in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina and that Hurricane Katrina caused damage to her home and personal property. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea to Count One, CAVALIER faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of the indictment when CAVALIER is sentenced on Count One.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred sixty-five.

20 November 2008 FEMA Fraud - Another Sentenced

ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident was sentenced in federal court today on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

LAKEISHA L. ATKINS, age 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 31, 2008, to Count Three of an indictment charging her with wire fraud. ATKINS was charged with fraudulently claiming and receiving disaster unemployment assistance benefits that the U.S. Department of Labor and the Louisiana Department of Labor made available to individuals who became unemployed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The stipulated factual basis contained in the plea agreement stated that on numerous occasions between November 26, 2005, and June 3, 2006, ATKINS falsely certified to the Louisiana Department of Labor that she was unemployed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. ATKINS received $5,178 in unemployment assistance benefits to which she was not entitled. The stipulated factual basis contained in the plea agreement also stated that ATKINS caused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse an additional $2,000 in disaster assistance benefits by causing a fraudulent application for FEMA disaster assistance benefits to be submitted in her name, and then executing two written declarations in support of the application that contained additional false statements.

ATKINS was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to five years of probation and $7,178 in restitution. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred sixty-five.

19 November 2008 FEMA Fraud - Two more Charged

TWO MORE CHARGED WITH DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that two more Louisiana residents were charged Monday in federal court with fraud related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS DONAHUE, age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a bill of information in federal court on November 17, 2008, with illegal conversion of government property (Count One) and making false statements (Count Two). The bill of information alleges that in or about May 2006, DONAHUE and others obtained, without authority, a check issued by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to another person who was a true Hurricane Katrina victim in the amount of $10,391.51. The bill alleges that DONAHUE and others caused the FEMA check to be cashed by means of forging the signature of the payee of the check, thereafter dividing the proceeds of the check among themselves.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the East Baton Rouge Housing Authority, provided rental assistance to eligible low-income households through the Section 8 rental assistance program. Eligibility for Section 8 rental assistance was determined, in part, by total monthly household income, which was required to be reported during the initial certification of eligibility and periodic re-certifications of eligibility. The bill of information filed Monday further alleges that from on or about March 1, 2005, through on or about October 15, 2007, DONAHUE made false representations to HUD, through the East Baton Rouge Housing Authority, in providing certification and re-certifications of eligibility for rental assistance payments. It is alleged that DONAHUE, in these certifications, failed to disclose approximately $2,500 in monthly household income. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted on Count One, DONAHUE faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count Two, DONAHUE faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

ANGELICA M. WILLIAMS, age 27, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was also charged in a bill of information in federal court on November 17, 2008, with making false statements. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, HUD and FEMA provided assistance to victims of the hurricanes, in part, through grants to homeowners to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes. In Louisiana, grants under this program were called Road Home Grants. The bill alleges that on or about September 19, 2007, WILLIAMS applied for a Road Home Grant, claiming ownership of a storm damaged mobile home. It is alleged that WILLIAMS caused the signature of another to be forged on a false bill of sale and receipts, fraudulently representing that she was the prior owner of the mobile home. The bill alleges that WILLIAMS submitted the fraudulent documents to HUD and FEMA in support of the application, resulting in a loss of approximately $28,966.60. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Monday’s charges bring the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred sixty-five.

12 November 2008 FEMA Fraud - Another Indicted

ANOTHER INDICTED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that another Louisiana resident has been indicted on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

YOLANDA V. KING, age 42, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a ten-count indictment with making a false claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits (Count One), mail fraud (Counts Two through Five), making a false writing and document (Counts Six through Eight), and wire fraud (Counts Nine and Ten). In response to Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided funding for a variety of disaster-related programs, including rental assistance payments to qualified individuals in need of such assistance.

The indictment alleges that on or about August 30, 2005, KING created a fraudulent claim to FEMA falsely claiming that her residence in Baton Rouge had suffered damage due to Hurricane Katrina. The indictment further alleges that from on or about January 12, 2006, through on or about August 31, 2006, KING submitted fraudulent documentation to FEMA claiming she was in need of disaster related rental assistance due to damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to her home and personal property. The indictment alleges that the fraudulent documentation submitted to FEMA by KING to support claims for rental assistance benefits caused funds totaling $6,166 to be mailed by FEMA to KING.

Also as a result of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA provided funding for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL) administered the DUA program for residents of the State of Louisiana. DUA provided financial assistance to individuals whose employment had been interrupted or lost as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. Today’s indictment alleges that KING filed fraudulent claims for DUA benefits, falsely claiming she was unemployed due to Hurricane Katrina. It is alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds to be transmitted from the LDOL into a Chase debit card account set up by LDOL for access by KING.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted on Count One, KING faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000, or both. If convicted on Counts Two through Five, KING faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. If convicted on Counts Six through Eight, KING faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. If convicted on Counts Nine or Ten, KING faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count.

Today’s indictment brings the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred sixty-three.

10 November 2008 Dinh Guilty Plea

GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO DRUG CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that BEN HUU DINH, also known as “Bang,” age 37, a Canadian citizen who resided in Ontario, Canada, pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy, Schedule I controlled substances.

As set forth in the stipulated factual basis read in open court, DINH was responsible for supplying associates in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with between 200,000 and 300,000 dosage units of ecstasy and hydroponic marijuana. On or about January 15, 2006, DINH and an associate collected approximately $300,000 in cash for ecstasy previously fronted to his associates and delivered this amount to a driver of an eighteen wheeler to transport back to Canada. Shortly thereafter, DINH had another driver of an eighteen wheeler transport between 50,000 to 100,000 dosage units of ecstasy to a location in New Orleans. A day or so later, DINH arranged for the transport of $50,000 collected for the ecstasy from Baton Rouge back to Canada.

The indictment was the result of "Operation Get Shorty," an extensive investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for the Middle District of Louisiana. The OCDETF is a multi-agency task force formed to investigate and prosecute criminal groups and individuals who organize, direct, finance, or are otherwise engaged in high level drug trafficking and related financial crimes.

Four other defendants were previously sentenced in connection with “Operation Get Shorty,” including:

* Huan M. Nguyen - convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute ecstasy and marijuana. On July 29, 2008, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 78 months.

* Truong V. Nguyen - convicted for possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy. On March 9, 2007, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 210 months. (The matter was transferred from the Eastern District of Louisiana to the Eastern District of Virginia.)

* Tuan Quoc Nguyen - convicted in New Orleans, Louisiana, for possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy. On December 6, 2007, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 151 months.

* Andrew Nam Petersen - convicted for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy. On May 1, 2008, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 108 months.

As a result of his guilty plea, DINH faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.

This OCDETF investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and coordinated by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, with AUSA Robert Piedrahita serving as the lead OCDETF prosecutor on the case. The OCDETF for the Middle District of Louisiana is comprised of agents from the Baton Rouge Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Marshal's Service.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

7 November 2008 Moore Sentenced

DEFENDANT SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that OLIVER MOORE, III, age 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola yesterday to serve an 18-month term of imprisonment pursuant to his pleas of guilty in January 2008 to two counts of an indictment charging him with making false statements to the United States. MOORE was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release after his imprisonment.

MOORE was a civilian employee of the United States Army, assigned to the 321st Theater Material Management Command in Baton Rouge. He pled guilty to forging the signatures of contracting officers and making up false contract numbers in 2005, in connection with his fraudulent representation that the Army had authorized the purchase of 40,000 pairs of tactical safety eyewear from a business called F&F Safety and Supply Company (F&F) at a cost of $378,000. F&F was identified as a retail company providing safety and security equipment. The indictment charged that the primary owner of F&F was a friend of MOORE’s. The eyewear was shipped to Kuwait and ultimately distributed to Army soldiers serving in Iraq.

Judge Polozola noted that F&F has filed a civil suit in federal court against the Army for payment for the eyewear, plus damages, and another suit in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. Judge Polozola ruled that any attempt to fashion a restitution award in the criminal prosecution of MOORE would unduly complicate and prolong the sentencing process and deferred any such matter to civil litigation.

MOORE was ordered to self-surrender to federal prison on January 6, 2009.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of the case. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ian F. Hipwell.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

6 November 2008 FEMA Fraud - Four more Indicted

FOUR MORE INDICTED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that four more Louisiana residents have been indicted on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

MARION L. FELDERS, age 33, of Hammond, Louisiana, and LATRISHA L. GREEN, age 25, of Hammond, Louisiana, were each charged in an indictment with three counts of wire fraud in connection with the filing of fraudulent claims for disaster unemployment assistance (DUA). The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) provided funding for a variety of disaster-related programs, including disaster unemployment assistance. The Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL) administered the DUA program for residents of the State of Louisiana. DUA provided financial assistance to individuals whose employment had been interrupted or lost as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. The indictments allege that FELDERS and GREEN each filed fraudulent claims for DUA benefits, falsely claiming they were unemployed due to Hurricane Katrina. It is further alleged that the filing of these false claims caused funds to be transmitted from the LDOL into Chase debit card accounts set up by LDOL for access by assistance recipients – in this case, FELDERS and GREEN. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, FELDERS and GREEN each face a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count.

THADDEUS JOHNSON, JR., age 29, of Clinton, Louisiana, and SUSAN J. JOHNSON, age 50, of Clinton, Louisiana, were each charged in an indictment with nine counts of wire fraud in connection with the filing of fraudulent claims for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. In response to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA made available rental assistance payments to qualified individuals in need of such assistance. The indictment alleges that from in or about June 2006 through in or about August 2007, THADDEUS JOHNSON, JR., was living rent-free with his mother, SUSAN J. JOHNSON. During this time period, the indictment alleges that SUSAN J. JOHNSON created and signed false and fraudulent rent receipts that appeared to show that THADDEUS JOHNSON, JR., had paid monthly rent. It is alleged that the fraudulent receipts were submitted to FEMA in support of claims for rental assistance payments, causing funds totaling $10,731.40 to be transferred by FEMA into a bank account accessed by THADDEUS JOHNSON, JR. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, THADDEUS JOHNSON, JR. and SUSAN J. JOHNSON each face a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count.

5 November 2008 FEMA Fraud - Another Charged

ANOTHER CHARGED WITH DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident was charged Monday in federal court with fraud in connection with a claim filed in a federal hurricane disaster relief program.

ANDREW J. EALY, III, age 40, of Gonzales, Louisiana, was charged in a bill of information in federal court on November 3, 2008, with wire fraud in connection with the filing of applications for loans from the Small Business Association (SBA). The SBA provided assistance to the victims of disasters through low interest loans to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes and businesses.

The bill of information alleges that on or about October 21, 2005, EALY caused an application for a home repair loan to be submitted to the SBA, and that on or about April 18, 2008, EALY caused an application for a business loan to be submitted to the SBA. The bill of information alleges that EALY caused false and fraudulent receipts and invoices to be sent via facsimile to the SBA to allegedly support the claims of repairs being performed, when in fact no such work had been done. The submission of the fraudulent receipts and invoices caused the SBA to approve and issue a home repair loan totaling approximately $94,000 and a business loan totaling approximately $125,500.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, EALY faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Monday’s charge brings the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred fifty-seven.

5 November 2008 Lawless Sentencing

DEFENDANT SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF EXTORTION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that WAYNE PETER LAWLESS, age 52, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to serve an 18-month term of imprisonment pursuant to his plea of guilty in July 2006 to a bill of information in federal court charging him with Hobbs Act extortion. LAWLESS was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to perform fifty hours of community service after his imprisonment.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) provided funding for a variety of disaster-related programs, including disaster unemployment assistance (DUA). The Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL) administered the DUA program for residents of the State of Louisiana. DUA provided financial assistance to individuals whose employment had been interrupted or lost as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

LAWLESS worked for a company contracted to assist recruiting efforts of the Louisiana National Guard. He was assigned to work at offices of the Louisiana Department of Labor on Wooddale Boulevard in Baton Rouge in the Fall of 2005. After Hurricane Katrina struck, Lawless was permitted and encouraged to assist people who came to the state office seeking disaster unemployment assistance, and was granted access to certain computer systems used to process unemployment claims. LAWLESS pled guilty to taking money from people, with their consent, “under color of official right”; that is, causing them to believe he could influence their receipt of funds intended for disaster relief.

LAWLESS was ordered to self-surrender to federal prison on January 6, 2009.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter, with assistance from the Zachary, Louisiana, Police Department. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ian F. Hipwell.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred fifty-seven.

5 November 2008 Bill of Information - Child Pornography

BILL OF INFORMATION IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, CHARGING POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced THOMAS EUGENE FIFE, age 62, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a bill of information today with possessing child pornography. If convicted, FIFE faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both. Should FIFE be sentenced to imprisonment, the court must impose a term of supervised release of not less than five years.

The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State University Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rich Bourgeois.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443.

NOTE: A bill of information is merely an accusation by the United States Attorney that an offense has been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial.

4 November 2008 Operation Gator Bait

THIRTEEN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND UNLAWFUL TRAVEL IN AID OF A RACKETEERING ENTERPRISE

BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney David R. Dugas and Kevin C. Harrison, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced today that thirteen individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Baton Rouge on various charges of conspiracy and drug trafficking.

The indictment was the result of "Operation Gator Bait," an extensive investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for the Middle District of Louisiana. The OCDETF is a multi-agency task force formed to investigate and prosecute criminal groups and individuals who organize, direct, finance, or are otherwise engaged in high level drug trafficking and related financial crimes.

The indictment, unsealed today, charges the defendants as follows:

WILLIE JONES, JR., also known as “Gator,” age 36, a Baton Rouge resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, and illegal use of communications facilities.

KENYA BUNARD SMITH, also known as “Fat,” age 31, a Baton Rouge resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, distribution of cocaine, and illegal use of communications facilities.

MALCHAI L. TILLMAN, also known as “Nose” and “Chai,” age 29, a Baton Rouge resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and illegal use of communications facilities.

DEDRICK DIONELLE TURNER, age 27, a Baton Rouge resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, and illegal use of communications facilities.

COURTNEY DEMON CLAYTON, also known as “C-Love,” age 24, a Baton Rouge resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, distribution of fifty grams or more of cocaine base, also known as “crack cocaine,” and illegal use of communications facilities.

KIMBERLY SHAWN SMITH, also known as “Kim Smith” and “Big Red,” age 29, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, and illegal use of communications facilities.

REGINALD D. ALLEN, also known as “Mack,” age 34, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and illegal use of communications facilities.

DWAYNE T. WICKER, also known as “Wayne” and “Little Wayne,” age 30, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and illegal use of communications facilities.

TROY A. JOHNSON, also known as “T-Roy,” age 31, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and illegal use of communications facilities.

JASON TYRONE PATTERSON, also known as “J-Rock,”, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and illegal use of communications facilities.

NICK HENRY MARTINEZ, also known as “Nick Garcia,” age 28, a Houston, Texas, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and illegal use of communications facilities.

JOSE RICARDO RAMIREZ, a Houston, Texas, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.

SUZANNA MARIE VOELKER, a Houston, Texas, resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and fifty grams or more of cocaine base and unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.

The defendants each face a maximum sentence of imprisonment of not less than ten years to a maximum of life and a maximum fine of $4,000,000.

The OCDETF for the Middle District of Louisiana is comprised of agents from the Baton Rouge Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Marshal's Service. Other participating members in this OCDETF investigation included the Louisiana Alcohol, Tobacco Control Board; the Louisiana State Police; the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office; the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff(s Office; the Ascension Parish Sheriff(s Office; the Baton Rouge Police Department; and the Gonzales Police Department. This OCDETF investigation was coordinated by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, with AUSA Jennifer Kleinpeter serving as the lead OCDETF prosecutor on the case.

U.S. Attorney Dugas said, "Enforcement of our nation's drug laws is one of the top priorities of the Department of Justice and of this office. The indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with operating, or with assisting, a significant multi-state drug trafficking organization in the Baton Rouge area. We will ensure that this matter is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.(

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendants. The defendants, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty at trial.

30 October 2008 ELECTION DAY PROGRAM

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES ELECTION DAY PROGRAM

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that Rich Bourgeois, an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Louisiana, will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 4, 2008, general elections. AUSA Bourgeois has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Middle District of Louisiana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters.

On October 8, 2002, Attorney General Ashcroft established a Department-wide Ballot Access and Voting Integrity Initiative. The goals of this Initiative are to increase the Department’s ability to deter voter intimidation, suppression, discrimination and election fraud and to prosecute these offenses whenever and wherever they occur - to make voting easier and cheating harder. Both goals are equally important. It is imperative that in pursuing voter integrity, ballot access is not in any way diminished or harmed. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers the goals of the Initiative. The Program also is intended to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department where the public can report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day. The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it, while those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.

In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 4, 2008, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, USA Dugas stated that Assistant United States Attorney/DEO Bourgeois will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at 225-389-0443.

The FBI will also have Special Agents available in each field office and resident agency in this District to receive allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression and other election abuses. FBI Special Agent David Clarke can be reached by the public at 225-291-5159.

Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767. Where voter intimidation or suppression tactics target voters on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin, please contact the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section at 202-514-3204.

United States Attorney Dugas said, “Election fraud and voting rights abuses dilute the worth of votes honestly cast. They also corrupt the essence of our representative form of government. As crimes against both the individual and the government, they will be dealt with promptly and aggressively. Anyone who has information suggesting electoral corruption or voting rights abuses should make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

29 October 2008 Nathan Davis Indictment

INDICTMENT IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
ON CHARGES OF DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER COLOR OF LAW

United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging NATHAN DAVIS, age 30, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.

The indictment alleges that, on or about March 4, 2007, DAVIS, then a police officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department, while acting under color of law, assaulted B.T. by pepper-spraying him and kicking him without justification and thereby willfully deprived B.T. of a right secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, specifically, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, which included the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer. This offense resulted in bodily injury to B.T.

If convicted, DAVIS faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000, or both.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Baton Rouge Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Kathleen Monaghan, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Piedrahita.

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty at trial.

29 October 2008 HEALTH CARE AND PROGRAM FRAUD INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED

BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney David R. Dugas; Special Agent-in-Charge Mike Fields of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent-in-Charge David Welker of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today the results of a dedicated effort to combat health care and program fraud in the Middle District of Louisiana. This continuing and ongoing effort has thus far resulted in criminal and civil actions against nine (9) individuals involving allegations of fraud, false statements or improper charges totaling approximately five million six hundred thousand dollars ($5,600,000).

I. Bates Indictment

Today a federal grand jury returned a twenty-seven (27) count indictment against three individuals in connection with an alleged health care fraud scheme involving a company known as Above and Beyond, LLC. The indictment alleges that, among other things, the defendants caused the submission of over $3,000,000 in false claims to Medicare.

Alton Bates, age 60, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with twenty-four (24) counts of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347, and 3 counts of paying kickbacks, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b. Bates faces up to 255 years imprisonment, a $6,750,000 fine, or both.

Robert Ivory Levy, age 57, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with eighteen (18) counts of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Levy faces up to 180 years imprisonment, a $4,500,000 fine, or both.

Juanita Anderson Hilton, age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with five counts of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Hilton faces up to 50 years imprisonment, a $1,250,000 fine, or both.

II. Cleopatra Montgomery Convicted

On August 2, 2008, Cleopatra Montgomery, age 52, of Port Allen, Louisiana, pled guilty to one count of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347, and one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(I). During her guilty plea, Montgomery admitted to causing over $185,000 in false claims to be submitted to Medicare. As a result of her guilty pleas, Montgomery faces up to 30 years imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, or both the imprisonment and the fine.

III. Linda Wallace Convicted

On September 15, 2008, Linda J. Wallace, age 46, of Zachary, Louisiana, pled guilty to mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, and forfeiture. During her guilty plea, Wallace, who served as the director of Mary Lee’s Day Care in Baton Rouge, pled guilty to a Bill of Information charging her with a $750,000 fraud and admitted to submitting false and fraudulent invoices seeking funds from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), a federally funded program to assist children from low income families. As a result of her guilty plea, Wallace faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

IV. Arthur Maggio Convicted

On April 29, 2008, Arthur Maggio, age 54, of Tequesta, Florida, pled guilty to his involvement in a health care fraud scheme involving the Service and Business Workers of America, Local Union 125 (“SBWA"), a self-funded health insurance plan. During his guilty plea, Maggio admitted that the scheme defrauded 56 Louisiana policyholders of approximately $360,000. As a result of his guilty plea, Maggio faces up to 3 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

V. Anita Horne Sentenced

On July 28, 2008, Anita Horne, age 57, of Pineville, Louisiana, was sentenced to serve 20 months in prison and to pay $354,804 in restitution to Medicare. Horne’s sentencing followed her plea of guilty to an indictment charging health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347. During her guilty plea, Horne admitted to causing almost $1,000,000 worth of false claims to be submitted to Medicare. In addition to her criminal conviction, Horne also entered into a civil settlement with the United States in which she agreed to pay $50,000.

VI. Dr. Reginald Goldsby Settlement

In July 2008, the United States obtained a $270,000 settlement under the False Claims Act in resolution of allegations that Dr. Reginald E. Goldsby, age 65, of Amite, Louisiana, caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare. As part of his obligations under the settlement agreement, Goldsby has agreed to abide by certain obligations set forth in an Integrity Agreement (IA) entered into contemporaneously with the settlement agreement. These obligations serve to promote compliance with the statutes, regulations, program requirements, and written directives of Medicare and all other federal health care programs specifically dealing with, among other things, billing or submission of reimbursement claims by Goldsby, any entity that Goldsby owns, or in which Goldsby has a controlling interest.

VII. Dr. Karen Dantin Settlement

In August 2008, the United States obtained a $10,132 settlement under theories of payment by mistake and unjust enrichment in resolution of allegations that Karen Dantin, M.D., age 51, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, improperly submitted claims for chelation therapy to Medicare.

VIII. Conclusion

This ongoing and continuing health care and program fraud initiative is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge Resident Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Baton Rouge Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States Department of Labor also had a leading role in the Maggio prosecution, while the Louisiana Department of Social Services held such a role in the Wallace prosecution. AdvanceMed and TrustSolutions, program safeguard contractors for Medicare, have provided valuable assistance in these investigations. The criminal matters are being handled by Deputy Criminal Chief Corey R. Amundson and Assistant United States Attorney René Salomon. The civil matters are being handled by Civil Chief James Nelson and Assistant United States Attorney Jay Thompson.

U.S. Attorney Dugas stated: “Several of these cases began when Medicare beneficiaries detected improper charges and reported the discrepancies to Medicare. These reports were initially investigated by the Program Safeguard Contractors and eventually resulted in the enforcement actions announced today. We encourage the public to report any unusual or potentially fraudulent charges associated with Medicare or other health care programs. ”

Special Agent-In-Charge Mike Fields with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General said: "Today's action sends a message to those who corruptly take advantage of the Medicare system. The Office of Inspector General, Dallas Regional Office, will continue to work aggressively to eliminate this type of corruption in our health care system."

Citizens are encouraged to report allegations of health care and program fraud to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 225-291-5159 or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, at 225-298-5441. Such reports are critical to effectively combating this type of fraud.

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that probable cause exists to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial.

29 October 2008 Postal Indictments

INDICTMENTS IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF EMBEZZLING MAIL, MAKING FALSE CLAIMS, AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Louisiana returned indictments today against three United States Postal Service (USPS) employees, charging them as follows.

CECILE L. BARBER, age 60, and BRENDA J. FLEMING, age 54, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were each charged in indictments with embezzling mail matter. The three-count indictment against BARBER alleges that in February of 2008, while a USPS employee, BARBER embezzled money from several letters that were intended to be conveyed by U.S. Mail. The one-count indictment against FLEMING alleges that in August of 2008, while a USPS employee, FLEMING embezzled money and a store gift card that were intended to be conveyed by U.S. Mail. If convicted, BARBER and FLEMING each faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

GERALDINE J. FRANKLIN, age 49, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged in a three-count indictment with making false claims and making false statements. The indictment alleges that in September of 2005, FRANKLIN, while a USPS employee, filed a false and fraudulent claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits, falsely misrepresenting her address at the time of the storm and falsely claiming that the storm caused her to have an essential need for food, clothing, and shelter. The indictment further alleges that FRANKLIN also filed a false and fraudulent claim with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster food stamp assistance. If convicted, FRANKLIN faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, per count. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.

NOTE: An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendants. The defendants, of course, are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty at trial.

28 October 2008 FEMA Fraud - Another Charged

ANOTHER CHARGED WITH DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident was charged yesterday in federal court with aiding and abetting making false statements in connection with a claim filed in a federal hurricane disaster relief program.

CARRIE J. WILLIAMS, age 39, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was charged in a bill of information in federal court yesterday with aiding and abetting making false statements in connection with the filing of an application for a Road Home Grant. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided assistance to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through grants to homeowners to fund the repair and restoration of storm damaged homes. In Louisiana, grants under this program were called Road Home Grants. The bill alleges that in or about January 2008, WILLIAMS forged the signature of another on a false bill of sale and receipts, pretending to be the prior owner of a mobile home, thereby aiding and abetting the submission of false and fraudulent documents to HUD and FEMA in support of a Road Home Grant application. The submission of the fraudulent application resulted in a loss of approximately $28,966.60.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. If convicted, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Yesterday’s charge brings the total number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds to one hundred fifty-six.

22 October 2008 FEMA Fraud - Another Pleads Guilty, Two more Sentenced

ANOTHER PLEADS GUILTY, TWO MORE SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident pled guilty and two more were sentenced today in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

DEBRA D. JACKSON, age 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to Count One of an indictment charging her with wire fraud. According to the factual basis in the plea agreement, JACKSON filed an application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits on August 30, 2005, but FEMA determined that she was not eligible for expedited disaster assistance. On September 19, 2005, JACKSON filed a second application, this time falsely claiming that her primary residence at the time of the storm was on Avenue L in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and that her home and personal property at that address suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. JACKSON also falsely claimed that Hurricane Katrina caused her to have an essential need for food, clothing, and shelter. In fact, JACKSON was not living at the Avenue L address at the time of the storm, and she did not have storm-related damage at that address. The fraudulent application caused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse $2,000 by electronically transferring such funds into a bank account that JACKSON had identified in her fraudulent application for FEMA benefits. The case was investigated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service. As a result of her guilty plea to Count One, JACKSON faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of the indictment when JACKSON is sentenced on Count One.

TRINA R. BURDEN, age 41, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 1, 2007, to Count Three of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. BURDEN was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to three years of probation, $4,358 in restitution, a $100 special assessment, and twenty-five hours of community service. The U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.

CORRINE FOSTER, age 52, of Franklin, Louisiana, pled guilty on December 13, 2007, to Count One of an indictment charging her with wire fraud in connection with the filing of a fraudulent application for disaster unemployment benefits. FOSTER was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to five years of probation, $7,545 in restitution, a $100 special assessment, and one hundred hours of community service. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred fifty-five.

2 October 2008 FEMA Fraud - Two more Plead Guilty

TWO MORE PLEAD GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that two more Louisiana residents pled guilty today in federal court on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.

SHANDOLYN D. THOMAS, age 22, of Baker, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to Count Three of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. According to the factual basis in the plea agreement, THOMAS caused an application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits to be filed on or about September 9, 2005, in which she falsely claimed that her primary residence at the time of the storm was in New Orleans, Louisiana, when, in fact, THOMAS was not living in New Orleans at the time of the storm. The application also falsely claimed that Hurricane Katrina caused damage to THOMAS’ home and personal property in New Orleans. The fraudulent application caused three checks totaling over $9,500.00 to be issued to THOMAS by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea to Count Three, THOMAS faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Counts One, Two, and Four of the indictment when THOMAS is sentenced on Count Three.

WAKITA A. TONEY, age 22, of Baton, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud. According to the factual basis in the plea agreement, THOMAS caused an application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits to be filed on or about September 17, 2005, in which she falsely claimed that her primary residence at the time of the storm was in New Orleans, Louisiana, when, in fact, TONEY was not living in New Orleans at the time of the storm. The application also falsely claimed that Hurricane Katrina caused damage to TONEY’s home and personal property in New Orleans. The fraudulent application caused a check in the amount of $2,000.00 to be issued to TONEY by FEMA. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea to Count One, TONEY faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of the indictment when TONEY is sentenced on Count Two.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred fifty-five.

The United States Attorney's Office

Middle District of Louisiana

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