A federal grand jury investigating disaster fraud in the wake of the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado, has indicted at least eight people on felony charges, with six more indictments unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
The following indictments were announced:
Amber Nicole Peters, 22, was indicted on one count of disaster fraud and two counts of making false statements to FEMA. Ms. Peters allegedly told FEMA officials between May 28 and September 26 that she lived at 2426 S. Picher Street, when that was not the case.
Karen Marie Parks, 37, told FEMA she lived at 1502 S. Michigan Avenue. She has been released on a personal recognizance bond.
Between June 12 and July 14, Pamela Ann Shafer, 57, told FEMA she lived at 1705 Kentucky Avenue North Apartments, when that was not the case.
FEMA officials were told between June 10 and July 21 that Scott Bradley Olsen, 58, lived at 2305 Virginia, when that was not the case. He was freed on a personal recognizance bond.
Between May 27 and November 4, Ann Valerie Jay told FEMA officials she lived at 4915 E. 27th Street, when that was not the case.
Ronald Martell Irby told FEMA between June 13 and June 14 that he lived at 1823 W. 22nd, when that was not the case. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Earlier, the 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 was released on a personal recognizance bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 21 in Springfield.
The McBride indictment was the second to be announced from the federal grand jury investigation into scam artists who were taking advantage of the tornado.
The first indictment announced was that of Shane Ellis, 37, who 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 and is set for a May 21 arraignment.
The maximum penalty for disaster fraud is 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the maximum penalty for making false statements to FEMA is five years in prison.
All of the defendants are being represented by federal public defenders, according to court documents.
6 comments:
They are being represented on the taxpayer's dime? Charged with criminal fraud which equates to stealing taxpayer funds and now we must pay for their defense with taxpayer funds? I hope the court, if they are found guilty as charged, will make their taxpayer-funded legal defense costs as part of their restitution.
You're absolutely right. We should deny them the right to counsel. That way it can get thrown out for violating their 6th amendment rights.
Either way it's going to cost us. The scam cost us. The trial is going to cost us. The time that they're in prison is going to cost us. At least they're not going to enjoy the final 2 costs.
But that was my house, and i didnt have a choice but to live there. It was my only house, i did stay with friends alot, but that doesnt change the fact that it was my house
What a shame that these people did this. There were people who really needed the help and didnt get it. I hope the courts make an example out of them!!!
While these people whop file a false claim should be punished, jail time is so stupid. Fines and restitution should be all. We pay on a false claim as tax payers, next we pay for legal defense and and finally we pay for their incarceration. How stupid is our law and government anyway.
Shane, you are a low-life scum. Today I talked to both Fema and the FBI and advised them that you already have, or are about to inherit $32,000 from your father's estate. Today's date is 1-30-15. They are going to call your parole officer and make sure you pay the restitution that you owe for your crime. I know you thought you could simply pocket the money without paying.
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