Identity Theft Ring Sentenced for BP Oil Spill Fraud

The aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has left a trail of devastation and corruption in its wake. A recent case highlights the persistence of this issue, as two individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a massive identity theft scheme.

The scheme, which targeted numerous victims from across the country, involved the creation of fake clients for anticipated litigation related to the oil spill. Thi Houng Le, a 34-year-old resident of Pascagoula, and Gregory P. Warren, a 52-year-old from Lafayette, Louisiana, were convicted of conspiracy to commit identity theft, aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, and wire fraud.

Le was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,000.00.

Warren, on the other hand, received a harsher sentence of 204 months in federal prison, also followed by three years of supervised release. He was also required to pay a fine of $25,000.00.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Rushing and Gregg Kennedy handling the prosecution. The defendants’ actions resulted in the fraudulent submission of over 40,000 individuals as plaintiffs in litigation related to the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill, despite the fact that these individuals had not consented to be represented by the law firm.

The case highlights the ongoing issue of identity theft and financial fraud in the wake of the oil spill. As the legal system continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disaster, it is clear that there is still much work to be done to protect the victims and prevent such schemes from occurring in the future.

Le and Warren’s sentences serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in such activities. As the investigation and prosecution of these crimes continue, it is essential that the public remains vigilant and takes steps to protect themselves from potential identity theft and financial fraud.