Twenty-two people charged with fraud near the anniversary of Katrina

 NEW ORLEANS - GHN News Editor - "As
we near the five-year anniversary of Katrina, it is fitting that those
people who chose to defraud the very system designed to help victims of
Katrina are brought to justice."


David
Walker, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation made this
statement in reference to twenty-two people charged with defrauding the
government in programs designed to help honest victims.

This
announcement of charges brought against these individuals came just
last week in the days before the five-year anniversary of Katrina. 

The
FBI provides a list of those charged with fraud related to the recovery
of funds following Hurricane Katrina.  They face federal felony charges
and grand jury indictments.

Most of the cases came about as a result of complaints from the National Center for Disaster Fraud in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Each
of these twenty-two individuals have separate charges, all involving
theft of government funds through mail fraud, false statements, in
scheming to defraud the Louisiana Road Home, FEMA and the Small Business
Administration,  One of them, Ruth Leslie Goodman, age 49, a resident
of New Orleans is said to have defrauded the government of $439,000.
She faces a fifty-five year term in prison if found guilty on six
charges against her.
She also faces $1 million in fines and three years supervised release.

The others include Karen Jones, age 32, a resident of Houston, Texas;

 Elaine
L. Mullone, age 63, a resident of Houston, Patricia A. Bowman of
Marrero, Louisiana, and Hubert Joseph Sentino Jr., age 48, a resident of
New Orleans, all whom defrauded the government of tens of thousands of
dollars and face up to 20 years in prison.

There are also others who defrauded assistance agencies such as the
American Red Cross that made up to $1,565 available to victims on a
one-time basis. If convicted, each defendant faces a possible maximum
term of twenty (20) years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three (3)
years of supervised release, as well as restitution to the American Red
Cross.

The names of the others charged can be found on the FBI website for New Orleans.

The
FBI offices reports there have been 182 defendants charged by the
United States Attorney’s Office  with Katrina fraud in the Eastern
District of Louisiana with a 100 percent conviction rate. 

Many
people honestly sought funds and struggled to get their help in the
days, months and years after Katrina.  One of them, Judith Martin, tells
of the complications involved and the paperwork for The Road Home.
Victims themselves are appalled at those who took advantage of the
system.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten concluded, in his response to the charges of
these twenty-two people this week: “As we approach the fifth anniversary
of Hurricane Katrina, and citizens continue in the historic struggle to
rebuild this great American city and region, we in federal law
enforcement will continue to use all resources available to fiercely
protect those funds which the American people have made available for
the benefit of our citizens and our communities.

As
evidenced by the charges we have outlined today, no amount of
fraud—however small or large—will be tolerated as we defend the public
trust.”