LOCAL MAN PLED GUILTY TO LOUISIANA ROAD HOME PROGRAM FRAUD
GARRETT GORDON GOODBEE, age 39, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today in federal court before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a bill of information for theft of government funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the factual basis, GOODBEE admitted that he purchased a vacant lot in New Orleans in October 2004 for the purpose of constructing a home on it. This home was only partially constructed when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans on August 29, 2005. The defendant falsely and fraudulently filed an application with the Louisiana Road Home Program declaring the partially constructed home was his primary residency on August 29, 2005. As a result of this false statement, he received $104,930 in Road Home assistance to which he was not entitled.
GOODBEE faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, and a three (3) year term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, along with a special assessment fee of $100. Pursuant to the plea agreement, GOODBEE has made full restitution to the Louisiana Road Home Program. The sentencing of this matter is set for July 15, 2010.
The case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Marvin Opotowsky.
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