New Orleans contractor Michael Spears, 53, has been hit with a federal indictment for making false statements and aggravated identity theft. According to the United States Attorney’s Office in Louisiana, Spears was working under the Home Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which helps homeowners elevate their homes to withstand natural disasters.
The feds claim that Spears was placed on restricted status by HMGP due to non-compliance with several of his projects. In a bid to be removed from this status, Spears is accused of falsely stating that one grant recipient, T.B., wanted to delay the elevation work, when in fact, T.B. had not requested such a delay.
The scam involved using T.B.’s name and signature in false representations to HMGP. If convicted, Spears faces up to five years in prison for making a false statement and an additional two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence he receives. The penalties also include fines totaling $500,000 and three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasized that the indictment is merely an allegation, and Spears’ guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield will handle the prosecution.
The investigation into Spears’ alleged fraud was led by the Department of Homeland Security-OIG and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Related Federal Cases
- Convicted Doc Patel and Acadiana Clinics Settle False Claims for $650,000 · Louisiana
- Silvia Maria Garcia-Coyado Sentenced for ID Theft Scheme · Texas
- Michaelle Martinez Indicted in $ Theft of SSA Funds Scheme · Louisiana
- Jessica Henderson Berthelot Sentenced for Mail Theft Scheme · Louisiana
- Misty Johnson Gets 57 Months for $258K Opelousas Theft · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News