United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

LOCAL WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FEMA FRAUD

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that Tameka Williams was arrested this morning on charges outlined in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury on November 9, 2006, in Dallas. Williams was arrested at her home in Dallas without incident and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Wm. F. Sanderson, Jr. this afternoon who released her on a personal recognizance bond.

The four-count indictment charges Williams with one count of conspiracy to make false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims and to commit theft of government property and three counts of theft of government property. If convicted on all counts, Williams faces a statutory maximum sentence of 35 years, a $1 million fine and restitution.

The indictment alleges that Tameka Williams, along with other unnamed individuals, conspired together to make false claims upon the U.S. Federal Management Agency (FEMA) by claiming that they were victims of Hurricane Katrina and were therefore entitled to receive FEMA Disaster Assistance Refund Checks. They knew however, that the claims were fraudulent because they were not Hurricane Katrina victims. The indictment also alleges that Williams and others stole nearly $15,000, in the form of vouchers and checks, which they received as a result of their fraudulent claims.

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

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

United States Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of the United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Wiley.

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