United States Attorney Dana J. Boente announced the filing of fourteen Bills of Information and one Indictment bringing felony charges against 15 individuals for filing fraudulent applications for relief relating to an April 20, 2010 explosion and fire which occurred on the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico where British Petroleum (BP) had been drilling a well.
After the disaster, BP established the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) to administer, mediate, and settle claims of individuals and businesses for losses incurred as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. The GCCF began receiving and processing such claims in August 2010. The GCCF required any individual filing a claim to submit valid documentation as proof of loss or reduction in earnings due to the oil spill.
The loss to BP from the fraudulent claims totals $309,990 from these individuals.
Tyriana Scott, age 36, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The Bill of Information alleges that on October 16, 2010, the GCCF received Scott’s online claim form seeking an emergency six-month payment in the amount of $17,500, wherein Scott falsely stated she lost earnings as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Documentation in support of Scott’s claim included copies of fraudulent W-2 wage statements and pay stubs indicating that prior to the oil spill, Scott had worked as a hotel supervisor earning $48,251 annually, when in fact she had not. Scott received approximately $17,500.
Tracey Daniels, age 49 of New Orleans, Louisiana, was also charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The Bill of Information alleges that on October 28, 2010, the GCCF received Daniels’ online claim form seeking an emergency six-month payment in the amount of $33,450, wherein Daniels falsely stated she lost earnings as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Documentation in support of Daniels’ claim included copies of fraudulent W-2 wage statements and pay stubs indicating that prior to the oil spill, Daniels had worked as a restaurant manager earning $54,651.99 annually, when in fact she had not. Daniels received approximately $32,100.
Shanel Danyell Burton, age 33 of River Ridge, Louisiana, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The Bill of Information alleges that on October 13, 2010, the GCCF received Burton’s online claim form seeking an emergency six-month payment in the amount of $19,586, wherein Burton falsely stated she lost earnings as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Documentation in support of Burton’s claim included copies of fraudulent W-2 wage statements and pay stubs indicating that prior to the oil spill, Burton had worked as a restaurant supervisor earning $47,820 annually when, in fact, she was never so employed. Burton received approximately $19,600.
Troy Toledano, age 51 of Grand Prairie, Texas, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. The Bill of Information alleges that on October 16, 2010, the GCCF received Toledano’s online claim form seeking an emergency six-month payment in the amount of $23,900, wherein Toledano falsely stated he lost earnings as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Documentation in support of Toledano’s claim included copies of fraudulent W-2 wage statements and pay stubs indicating that prior to the oil spill, Toledano had worked as a hotel supervisor earning approximately $47,000 annually when, in fact, he was never so employed. Toledano received approximately $23,900.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene Gonzalez.
The investigation is ongoing, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the system and take advantage of the generosity of others.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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