Posted on 07/28/2006 11:28:06 AM PDT by ncountylee
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - A south Alabama woman was indicted Thursday on federal charges of defrauding FEMA out of $277,377 by making false claims for Hurricane Katrina damages, the U.S. attorney said.
Lawanda T. Williams spent FEMA's money on real estate, vehicles, electronics, a mobile home and other property, U.S. Attorney Deborah J. Rhodes said in a statement.
The 32-year-old Jackson woman, also known as Lawanda Johnson, was arrested on July 18 on charges of wire and mail fraud.
In a 66-count grand jury indictment Thursday, additional charges include making false claims to the government and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Cassady declined to release Williams on bond. A trial date hasn't been set.
Federal authorities said Williams, claiming Katrina damages in 30 separate cases, used false Social Security numbers and various names and addresses in Gulfport, Pascagoula and Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans, as well as her rural home in Jackson, north of Mobile.
If convicted of mail fraud and wire fraud, Williams could be sentenced to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Making false claims to the government could bring five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentences.
Rhodes said investigations by the Hurricane Katrina Task Force continue to track down those who took advantage of last year's relief efforts.
So far, 11 individuals have been charged in the court's Southern District of Alabama.•
I'm sorry, it's Friday and I was indulging in a flight of fancy. I'm back now. Though I'm still confident Karl Rove will heed my e-mail and send a tornado at the U.N. building.
That's it! Thanks, capt. norm! I was trying to figure out who McKinney looked like with that "finger in the light socket hairdo"!!
Williams, 32, of Jackson, Ala., was charged in a 66-count federal indictment with making false claims to the government, mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Williams is charged with making a number of false and fraudulent applications for disaster assistance from FEMA following Hurricane Katrina. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The indictment alleges that from Sept. 8, 2005 through May 11, 2006, Williams applied by telephone for disaster benefits from FEMA following Hurricane Katrina. Using false Social Security numbers and variations of her name and addresses in Gulfport, Pascagoula and Biloxi, Miss., as well as addresses in Jackson, Ala. and New Orleans, Williams claimed that her primary residence had been damaged. The indictment further alleges that at the time of Hurricane Katrina, Williams lived in Jackson, and not at any of the addresses she claimed as her damaged primary residence.
Williams allegedly received $277,377 from FEMA as a result of the fraudulent claims, which she used to purchase real estate, a mobile home, automobiles, electronics and other personal property. If convicted, the proceeds of the alleged fraud would be subject to forfeiture to the United States.
Williams was arrested on July 18, 2006 on a federal complaint charging her with wire and mail fraud in connection with one of the applications. U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Cassady ordered that she be detained in custody pending trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Costello is prosecuting the case.
Mail fraud and wire fraud each carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Making false claims to the government is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conviction of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two year sentence consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
Williams is described as a black female, age 32, 5’10 in height, 126 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Her last known address is 50 Jackie and Linda Road, Jackson, Alabama. She has also resided at other locations in Clarke County, Alabama.
Lots of them. They always the first to complain that Pres Bush and the government isn't doing enough.
He'd better.
Wonder if that kanye west person would like to pay for her defense?
A south Alabama woman was indicted Thursday on federal charges of defrauding FEMA out of $277,377 by making false claims for Hurricane Katrina damages, the U.S. attorney said. Lawanda T. Williams spent FEMA's money on real estate, vehicles, electronics, a mobile home and other property, U.S. Attorney Deborah J. Rhodes said in a statement.
Carol Mostly Brown.
Lawanda? Lawanda?
Let me guess....
ROFLMAO
With all of that money laying around and the massive opportunities for fraud, I always ask the same question of this and similar situations, "why so little?" This always looked like a million dollar plus cash cow there for most crooks to rob blind.
I bet she'll just write them a check to cover it?
I've got a name for people like her but, I promised my sweet Grandmother I wouldn't use it again. So I'll just think it!
We owe it to her... reparations and all that, you know.
If she had just deleted the "La" from "Lawanda" and went with "Wanda" she might have gotten away with it.
I wonder what Celine would say once she found out they were illegally downloading her music?
.....I wonder what Celine would say once she found out they were illegally downloading her music?.....
They donce likes her music! Too cracker forz em.
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