Posted on 12/26/2005 6:59:40 PM PST by blogblogginaway
Edited on 12/26/2005 7:12:06 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Tuesday, December 27, 2005; Page A02
Nearly 50 people have been indicted in connection with a scheme that bilked hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Red Cross program to put cash into the hands of Hurricane Katrina victims, according to federal authorities.
Seventeen of the accused worked at the Red Cross claim center in Bakersfield, Calif., which handled calls from storm victims across the country and authorized cash payments to them. The others charged were the workers' relatives and friends, prosecutors said last week.
The scam came to light when Red Cross officials noticed a suspiciously high number of people were picking up Red Cross money at Western Union outlets near the Bakersfield center, even though few evacuees were in the area.
And we're all surprised, right?
Nearly 50 people have been indicted in connection with a scheme that bilked hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Red Cross program to put cash into the hands of Hurricane Katrina victims, according to federal authorities.
Seventeen of the accused worked at the Red Cross claim center in Bakersfield, Calif., which handled calls from storm victims across the country and authorized cash payments to them. The others charged were the workers' relatives and friends, prosecutors said last week.
The scam came to light when Red Cross officials noticed a suspiciously high number of people were picking up Red Cross money at Western Union outlets near the Bakersfield center, even though few evacuees were in the area.
The Red Cross called law enforcement authorities. Forty-nine people in the Bakersfield area have been indicted in the past three months for filing false claims with the center.
More indictments are expected soon, said Stanley A. Boone, an assistant U.S. attorney in Bakersfield.
more ..... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/26/AR2005122600654.html?sub=AR
Whew, I sure am glad that hurricane Katrina cured me of the desire to ever donate/be generous ever again! They didn't bilk me!
File this under "no good deed goes unpunished."
Well at least these double crossers will get punished.
9/11 taught me a lesson. I still give to Salvation Army, but I won't give one dime or one drop of blood to the Red Cross.
Still..... a black eye for the Red Cross
9/11 taught me a lesson, too.
I give to Catholic Relief Services and the Salvation Army.
Said it before, "New Orleans, like Herpes is the Gift that keeps on giving"
I will donate my "time" astride the largest earthmover that anyone will let me drive, just to bury that cat turd formerly known as New Orleans.
Glad it's not my money
And I also. Hey, wasn't the mother type, what was her name - ditch sitter or something like that - involved in a Red Cross scam also?
Probably just a slap on the wrist.
The Southern Baptists are the real unsung heroes of the Hurricanes Katrina/Rita disasters ... their volunteers have served millions upon millions of meals to victims of the hurricanes. They mobilized to help others while many of them really needed help for themselves. No amount of praise is adequate for their efforts.
[ No, I am not a Southern Baptist ... just someone who appreciates the good that they do. ]
"I give to Catholic Relief Services and the Salvation Army."
Ditto.
I gave to family members who lost everything. At least I know they got it and will use it wisely.
Same here.
Looks like Bill O'Reilly pegged this organization right after 9-11. What a bunch of crooks.
It's amazing that people still give money to these reprobates.
You are 1000% right.
I didn't see Catholic charities out doing ANYTHING- and I'm Catholic. But, I firmly believe that two Baptist ladies, a phone, a giant pot and two spoons could handle ANY disaster.
They were everywhere, and organized like nothing I've ever seen! If it hadn't been for the Baptist, non-denominational churches and the Salvation Army Katrina would have destroyed the hope of countless people.
I firmly believe that, when Jesus returns, there will be a huge contingent of Southern Baptist behind him, ready to make things better!
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