Three More Sentenced in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Federal FEMA Fraud Charg

[Omaha Steve]

FULL story: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=71600

Three More Sentenced in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Federal FEMA Fraud Charges

8/31/2006 7:07:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: David R. Dugas of the U.S. Department of Justice, 225-389-0443; http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/lam

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Three Louisiana residents were sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to hurricane disaster relief programs, announced U. S. Attorney David R. Dugas, of the Middle District of Louisiana.

Josette Williams, 29, of Baton Rouge, La., pled guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with making a false claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to five years probation, 50 hours of community service, and $14,749.51 in restitution. The U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation of this matter.

Antonio D. Shelton, 21, Takeisha D. Hinton, 21, both of Baton Rouge, La., each pled guilty to count one of an indictment charging them with making a false claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. Shelton and Hinton were each sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ralph E. Tyson to three years probation and $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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 Katrina relief funds stands at 68.

[alarimer]

1. When is Halliburton going to be sentenced?

Sure they're going after poor people for a pittance but the criminals are still defrauding the government. Hell the real crimnals ARE the government.

[partylessinOhio]

2. I disagree with this. Let them keep whatever they got as long as Bush/Co

lets Halliburton keep all they defrauded the taxpayers for.

[rodeodance]

6. sacrificial lambs. this makes people feel justice has been served and

the feds are tough on crime.

as for the big guys?---well, look at the torure case. any big guys get it. Nope.

[951-Riverside]

3. When is Brownie going to jail?

...oh right NEVER. :mad:

[Gelliebeans]

4. Is is quite ironic

that the FBI and Homeland (In)security has the the time and resources to devote to looking for 3 people that made false charges regarding relief funds but doesn't seem bothered by the fact that one year to the day after America's worst natural disaster and people are still homeless, jobless, and they can't even get someone to pick up the friggin trash in the fronts of their residences or fix the electricity and water service.
I am still so embarrased by the willful neglect against our fellow Americans.
Instead of the Inspector General for the FBI looking to go after the insurance companies that have dicked around with these peoples claims and the ill equipped trailers (without electricity) being foisted on victims by none other than that dog and pony show aka FEMA they wanted us to know that 3 people have been brought up on charges for violations of relief funds.
This is just nauseating at best.

[Demeter]

5. Oh, Well, Just So Long As Our National Priorities Are Straight (and Narrow

Sadly, the FBI has no authority to arrest the guilty for the greater crimes of treason, sabotage, and political patronage, or any other high crime or misdemeanor. That job belongs to the Congress, and perhaps the Attorney General, Torture Boy Gonzales.