Blake Lynn Self, Disaster Benefits Fraud, Oklahoma 2013
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma resident Blake Lynn Self, 19, has been dealt a harsh sentence for committing disaster benefits fraud in connection with the devastating May 2013 tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Sanford C. Coats, Self was sentenced to serve three months in prison, 60 days in a halfway house, and 90 days home confinement for submitting a false claim for monetary benefits to be paid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 14, 2013.
Specifically, it was alleged that Self claimed to a FEMA inspector that his primary residence at the time of the May 20, 2013, tornado was 916 S.W. 14th Street, in Moore, when in fact it was not his residence at that time. Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the May 20, 2013, tornado affecting Cleveland County was declared a major disaster and the payment of disaster benefits was authorized.
Self was indicted in November of 2013 and charged with committing disaster benefits fraud. He subsequently pled guilty to the charges on January 8, 2014. The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green.
The public may report suspected disaster benefits fraud by contacting the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (www.oig.dhs.gov or by calling toll free 1-800-323-8603) or by calling the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
Defendant: Blake Lynn Self
Crime: Disaster Benefits Fraud
City and State: Moore, Oklahoma
Date: January 8, 2014 (guilty plea), May 2013 (tornado), November 2013 (indictment)
Sentence: Three months in prison, 60 days in a halfway house, 90 days home confinement, $12,885.45 in restitution to FEMA, five years of supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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