2009 Press Releases
July - September
25 September Montgomery Sentenced
22 September Nathan Davis Sentenced
21 September Wallace Fletcher Indictment
18 September FEMA Fraud - Frederick Sentenced
14 September Jody Stevens Guily Plea
10 September John Davis Sentenced
10 September James Leslie Indictment
10 September Bates - Levy - Hilton Guilty Plea
3 September Paul Ruiz Sentencing
3 September Sean O'Connor Sentencing
17 August FEMA Fraud - Two more Sentenced
24 July Three Sentenced on Charges of Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking
10 July FEMA Fraud - Two More Plead Guilty
25 September Montgomery Sentenced
SENTENCING IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
ON CHARGES OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that CLEOPATRA LACOUR MONTGOMERY, age 53, of Port Allen, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady on charges of health care fraud and money laundering.
MONTGOMERY pled guilty on October 2, 2008, to two counts of an indictment filed June 25, 2008. According to the factual stipulation in the plea agreement, MONTGOMERY billed Medicare $188,247 for twenty-two power wheelchairs and accessories, and was paid $103,982, when she actually provided less expensive scooters, or nothing at all, to Medicare beneficiaries. MONTGOMERY was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of twenty-four months followed by three years of supervised release. MONTGOMERY was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $103,982 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Mike Fields, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Regional Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, said, “Any time false claims are submitted for payment, the nation’s health insurance programs suffer. Our HHS OIG investigators will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify providers who deliberately manipulate the system to obtain crucial Medicare or Medicaid dollars.”
This investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney René Salomon.
22 September Nathan Davis Sentenced
SENTENCING IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
TO CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION
BATON ROUGE, LA – David R. Dugas, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, announced today that NATHAN DAVIS, a former police officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola on a charge of deprivation of civil rights under color of law.
On April 1, 2009, DAVIS pled guilty to a felony civil rights violation. DAVIS admitted in court that on or about March 4, 2007, he purposefully used excessive and unreasonable force against B.T., a man who at the time of the abuse was handcuffed, by pepper spraying him in the face without any justification. Earlier on this date, DAVIS had arrested B.T. at his residence for disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.
DAVIS was sentenced today to a term of imprisonment of seventy-eight months followed by a term of supervised release of two years.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Baton Rouge Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Piedrahita and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
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.
21 September Wallace Fletcher Indictment
INDICTMENT IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF MAIL FRAUD
United States Attorney Donald W. Washington of the Western District of Louisiana and United States Attorney David R. Dugas of the Middle District of Louisiana announced today that, on September 16, 2009, a federal grand jury in Lafayette indicted WALLACE EUGENE FLETCHER, also known as GENE FLETCHER, age 67, a resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, on seventeen counts of mail fraud. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation in which the grand jury alleges that, if he is convicted of the mail fraud counts, FLETCHER should forfeit the proceeds of such offenses to the United States.
The grand jury alleges that, during 2004 and 2005, Fletcher participated in a scheme to defraud the State of Louisiana by over-billing Prison Enterprises for fertilizer provided to state prisons pursuant to a state contract. The indictment alleges that the scheme involved invoicing Prison Enterprises for more fertilizer than was actually delivered, providing Prison Enterprises with cheaper fertilizer than ordered and paid for, and billing at a rate not available under the contract when the fertilizer was delivered.
The case is being handled by the United States Attorney for the Western District with the assistance of the United States Attorney for the Middle District and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana Inspector General’s Office, and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture Brand Commission.
If convicted on all of the mail fraud charges, Fletcher could receive a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 340 years, a fine of $4,250,000, or both.
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.
18 September FEMA Fraud - Frederick Sentenced
ANOTHER SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGE
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that another Louisiana resident was sentenced today on a fraud charge related to a hurricane disaster relief program.
ROSEMARY FREDERICK, age 42, of Baton Rouge, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to five years of probation, fifty hours of community service, and $14,749.51 in restitution. FREDERICK pled guilty on September 29, 2008, to making a false claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. According to the factual basis in the plea agreement, FREDERICK filed an application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits on or about September 14, 2005, falsely claiming that her primary residence at the time of the storm was in New Orleans, Louisiana. In fact, FREDERICK was living in Everett, Washington, at the time. The fraudulent application caused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse funds to FREDERICK for disaster assistance totaling approximately $14,358. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter. This matter was originally charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
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 seventy-five.
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 the Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 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.
14 September Jody Stevens Guily Plea
GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO CHARGE OF FAILURE TO FILE TAX RETURNS
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that JODY L. STEVENS, age 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty today before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to Count One of an indictment charging him with failure to file tax returns in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7203.
According to the stipulated factual basis, STEVENS failed to file tax returns for the years 2002, 2003, and 2004. The total amount of taxes owed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for these three years, exclusive of interest and penalties, totals $81,467.
As a result of his guilty plea, STEVENS faces a maximum sentence of a term of imprisonment of one year, a $100,000 fine, or both. The Court may also order STEVENS to pay restitution in accordance with law. Sentencing has not yet been set.
This matter was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney René I. Salomon.
Michael J. DePalma, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation stated: “We are pleased with today’s announcement. The tax system is built on the premise that taxpayers file accurate and timely tax returns. The evasion of income taxes is a serious crime, punishable under federal law. To ensure confidence in our tax system, Special Agents of IRS Criminal Investigation are committed to the aggressive pursuit and prosecution of individuals who intentionally violate the nation’s tax laws.”
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.
10 September John Davis Sentenced
DEFENDANT SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that JOHN ISAAC DAVIS, age 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola.
DAVIS was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 280 months followed by five years of supervised release. DAVIS had previously pled guilty on December 10, 2008, to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2 and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18 United States Code, Section 2.
This defendant was prosecuted as a result of a joint operation between the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office from Calhoun County, Texas. The defendant sentenced today was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that from 2006 to 2008 transported over 700 kilograms of cocaine into the Middle District of Louisiana from Texas with an estimated wholesale value of fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000).
In addition to today’s sentencing in this matter, this operation has resulted in the conviction of four other defendants. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell.
10 September James Leslie Indictment
INDICTMENT IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGES OF MAIL FRAUD
United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that a federal grand jury indicted JAMES H. LESLIE, age 58, a resident of Marthaville, Louisiana, and former Director of Louisiana Prison Enterprises, on three counts of mail fraud.
The grand jury alleges that, from late 2004 to July 2006, LESLIE participated in a scheme to defraud the State of Louisiana by selling Prison Enterprises horses directly to a Colorado man and to himself without going through a public auction or competitive bidding in violation of state law and Prison Enterprises policy.
LESLIE was previously indicted by a federal grand jury and later convicted of witness tampering. On August 30 2006, LESLIE appeared before U.S. District Judge Frank J. Polozola and pled guilty to witness tampering. As part of the guilty plea proceeding, LESLIE admitted in open court that, while he was Director of Prison Enterprises, he warned Dan Klein, the state contractor for the Angola Prison Rodeo, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had asked him to have a conversation with Klein while wearing a wire. At the time, the FBI was investigating allegations of criminal activity related to the operation of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. LESLIE admitted in open court during the guilty plea proceeding that he told Klein to withhold from the FBI information concerning Klein’s receipt of free fertilizer and seed. LESLIE is scheduled to be sentenced for the witness tampering offense on September 23, 2009.
The offenses for which LESLIE was indicted today are alleged to have taken place in 2004 and 2005 (before the witness tampering offense) and in July 2006 (after the witness tampering offense).
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana Inspector General’s Office, and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.
If convicted on all of the mail fraud charges, LESLIE could receive a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 60 years, a fine of $750,000, or both. The witness tampering charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both.
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.
10 September Bates - Levy - Hilton Guilty Plea
GUILTY PLEA IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO CHARGE OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that ROBERT IVORY LEVY, age 58, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola to one count of an indictment charging him with health care fraud.
The indictment in this matter, filed October 29, 2008, also charged two other defendants, ALTON BATES, age 61, and JUANITA ANDERSON HILTON, age 41, both of Baton Rouge, with similar charges in connection with a health care fraud scheme involving a company known as Above and Beyond, LLC. BATES, owner, manager and operator of Above and Beyond, LLC, and a Baton Rouge attorney, pled guilty on July 21, 2009, to two counts of health care fraud and two counts of paying kickbacks. HILTON also pled guilty on July 21, 2009, to one count of health care fraud. HILTON and LEVY were licensed clinical social workers employed by Above and Beyond, LLC.
As a result of his guilty plea, LEVY faces a maximum sentence of a term of imprisonment of ten years, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Court may also order LEVY to pay restitution in accordance with law.
As a result of his guilty plea, BATES faces a maximum sentence of a term of imprisonment of thirty years, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. The Court may also order BATES to pay restitution in accordance with law.
As a result of her guilty plea, HILTON faces a maximum sentence of a term of imprisonment of ten years, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Court may also order HILTON to pay restitution in accordance with law.
Sentencing has not yet been set for these defendants.
This investigation of this matter, and others similar to it, is ongoing, and is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and AdvanceMed, the Medicare Program Safeguard Contractor which assists with health care fraud investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney René I. Salomon.
Special Agent in Charge Mike Fields of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Dallas Regional Office, said, “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of a concerted and joint effort by the HHS Office of Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to quickly bring to justice those who prey on our elderly for financial gain. The HHS Office of Investigations is committed to protecting the Medicare program and its beneficiaries."
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.
3 September Paul Ruiz Sentencing
SENTENCING IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA,
ON CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRPHY
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that PAUL G. RUIZ, age 50, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, was sentenced today in federal court by Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph Tyson. RUIZ pled guilty on June 16, 2008, to a bill of information charging distribution of child pornography. RUIZ was sentenced today to a term of imprisonment of 78 months, with ten years of supervised release following imprisonment. RUIZ was also ordered to pay a fine of $7,000 and a special assessment of $100. RUIZ is a former police officer with the Baton Rouge City Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the cooperation of the Baton Rouge City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Bourgeois.
3 September Sean O'Connor Sentencing
SENTENCING IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON CHARGE OF
MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS ON AN INCOME TAX RETURN
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today that SEAN P. O’CONNOR, age 41, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced this morning by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson on a charge related to the filing of a false income tax return. O’CONNOR pled guilty on March 18, 2009, to Count One of an indictment charging him with making false statements on tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). O’CONNOR was sentenced today to a term of imprisonment of five months, followed by five months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. The Court also ordered O’CONNOR to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $88,580.
According to the stipulated factual basis, O’CONNOR falsely reported the amount of gross receipts or sales on U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns filed for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The amount of gross receipts the defendant failed to report for these three calendar years totals over $300,000, resulting in additional tax due and owing in the amount of $88,580.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney René Salomon.
17 August FEMA Fraud - Two more Sentenced
TWO MORE SENTENCED IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD CHARGES
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that two more Louisiana residents were sentenced last week on fraud charges related to a hurricane disaster relief program.
HERMAN SHROPSHIRE, age 56, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty on January 7, 2009, to making a false claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. According to the factual basis in his plea agreement, SHROPSHIRE filed an application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits on or about September 2005, falsely claiming that his primary residence at the time of the storm was in New Orleans, Louisiana. In fact, SHROPSHIRE was living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the time. The fraudulent application caused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse two checks for disaster assistance totaling $4,358. SHROPSHIRE was sentenced on Thursday, August 13, 2009, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to a term of imprisonment of six months, three years of supervised release, $4,358 in restitution, and a special assessment of $100. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of this matter.
ANDREW J. EALY, III, age 40, of Gonzales, Louisiana, pled guilty on December 10, 2008, to 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. EALY was charged with causing an application for a home repair loan to be submitted to the SBA on or about October 21, 2005; and on or about April 18, 2008, causing an application for a business loan to be submitted to the SBA. EALY was charged with causing 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. EALY was sentenced on Thursday, August 13, 2009, by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to three years of probation, a $1,500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. 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 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 seventy-five.
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 the Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 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.
24 July Three Sentenced on Charges of Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking
THREE SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
BATON ROUGE, LA – United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced that ROY SHERMAN BURNETT, age 33, of Port O’Connor, Texas, HOANG DUY DONG, age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and JEREMY PAUL METREJEAN, age 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana were sentenced this morning by U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady.
BURNETT was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 204 months followed by five years of supervised release. BURNETT had previously pled guilty on December 10, 2008, to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2 and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
DONG was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 210 months followed by five years of supervised release. DONG had previously pled guilty on November 17, 2008, to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2 and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of five kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
METREJEAN was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 132 months followed by three years of supervised release. This sentence was an upward variance of 86 months above the applicable guideline range calculated by the Court. METREJEAN had previously pled guilty on November 8, 2008, to attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.
These defendants were prosecuted as a result of a joint operation between the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office from Calhoun County, Texas. Evidence collected during the investigation indicated that BURNETT and DONG were part of a drug trafficking organization that from 2006 to 2008 transported over 700 kilograms of cocaine into the Middle District of Louisiana from Texas with an estimated wholesale value of fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000).
In addition to today’s sentencings in this matter, this operation has resulted in the conviction of two other defendants, both of whom are still awaiting sentencing. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Blackwell.
10 July 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 in federal court yesterday to fraud charges related to hurricane disaster relief programs.
CHERYL M. TAYLOR, age 48, of Greensburg, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday to a bill of information charging her with forgery against the United States, in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 495. According to the stipulated factual basis in the plea agreement, TAYLOR altered the face of a U.S. Treasury check that had been made out to her for disaster relief benefits in the amount of $1,425 so that it appeared to be payable in the amount of $11,425. TAYLOR knew that she was only entitled to $1,425. It was further stipulated that TAYLOR took the check to her bank and caused it to be deposited into her personal account, which was credited with a deposit of $11,425. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea, TAYLOR faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.
VERONICA A. WILLIAMS, age 40, of Geismar, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday to Count One of an indictment charging her with mail fraud in connection with the submission of a fraudulent application for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. As a result of her guilty plea, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) 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 WILLIAMS 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 seventy-five.
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 the Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 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.