Man Indicted For Submitting False Information And Documents To FEMA

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Scott A. Clapper, Jr., 30, of Schoharie, was arraigned in U. S. District Court in Albany today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece on 13 felony counts of disaster-related fraud, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Edward Nasiatka, Special Agent in Charge of the Department Of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, New York Field Office. The defendant was remanded to federal custody. On each count, Clapper faces a maximum imprisonment term of 30 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a special assessment of $100, and a maximum term of supervised release of 5 years.

According to the indictment, Clapper made false statements and submitted false documents to the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") following Hurricane Irene. At that time, the issuance of a Presidential Disaster Declaration allowed FEMA to pay benefits to residents of certain New York counties who were affected by the hurricane and qualified for benefits under FEMA policies and procedures. Clapper, in connection with his applying for and receiving these benefits, made false statements to FEMA about his monthly rent and where he was residing. The indictment also alleges he submitted fraudulent lease agreements and rent receipts to FEMA.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by the New York Field Office of the Department Of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett.