Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Not guilty pleas entered in Joplin Tornado disaster fraud cases

Two people charged with disaster fraud and making false statements following the Joplin Tornado were arraigned in U. S. District Court in Springfield Monday and entered not guilty pleas.

A federal grand jury indicted Wanda Gail McBride, 51, Joplin, on one count of disaster fraud and two counts of making false statements to FEMA

The government alleges that Ms. McBride claimed that between June 29 and Oct. 20, 2011, that she had moved into a $400 a month apartment, a claim that was false and designed to help her get FEMA payments after the May 22 Joplin Tornado.

Ms. McBride is free on a personal recognizance bond. 

Shane Ellis, 37, the first person whose indictment was announced, was charged with single counts of disaster fraud and making false statements. He claimed he lived in a home at 2115 Virginia that was hit by the tornado when, in fact, that was not his residence.

Ellis was also released on a personal recognizance bond.

The grand jury indicted a total of eight people on charges of disaster fraud and making false statements.

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