• Lafayette, LA • 11 individuals have been charged with disaster relief fraud in Louisiana, accused of seeking $73,939 in government funds.
In a shocking revelation, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned 11 separate indictments charging 11 individuals with fraudulently applying for and receiving disaster benefits from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The indictments allege that the defendants made false statements and representations to FEMA in their applications for transportation benefits, claiming their vehicles were damaged in Iberia and Lafayette Parishes in Louisiana, when in fact they were residents of St. Mary Parish, which was not included as a designated parish for assistance.
The defendants, ranging in age from 24 to 58, submitted signed letters to FEMA stating their vehicles belonged to them, were their only means of transportation, and were no longer operable. However, the repair estimates submitted by each defendant, which ranged from $6,215 to $9,042, were all from repair shops that did not exist. This led to the disbursement of a total of $73,939 in government funds to the defendants.
Each defendant is charged with one count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits, one count of theft of government money or property, and one count of submitting a fraudulent repair estimate. The charges carry significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The list of defendants and the charges they face are as follows:
Dwayne Clark, 49, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Roshawn Lewis, 31, New Iberia, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Michelle Annette Kirt, 52, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Darius Juandre Stansbury, 30, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Keshawn Alonzo Gray, 24, Berwick, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $5,999 to defendant
Kieshondra Monique Lovely, 41, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Juanita Dugas, 58, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,000 to defendant
Nicole Gibson, 51, Garden City, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,215 to defendant
Kimberly Marie Dugas, 34, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,215 to defendant
Michael Shane Dugas, 37, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,215 to defendant
Wanda Faye Dugas, 63, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,215 to defendant
Shavon Latoya Clark, 35, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,042 to defendant
Erica Nicole Hebert, 37, Lafayette, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $9,042 to defendant
Tammy Lynn Dugas, 55, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $6,042 to defendant
Mark Anthony Bourque, 49, Franklin, Louisiana
Fraud in Connection with Major Disaster or Emergency Benefits – one count
Theft of Government Money or Property – one count
Fraudulent repair estimate resulted in disbursement of $9,042 to defendant
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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