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Tampa Man Pleads Guilty to FEMA False Claim Scam
Gregory A. Douglas, Jr., a 40-year-old Tampa resident, has pleaded guilty to submitting a false claim for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) related to Hurricane Irma in 2017.
According to the plea agreement, after Hurricane Irma hit Florida in September 2017, Douglas used a false address in Tampa to apply for $1,514 in disaster assistance from FEMA. He falsely represented that the address was his primary residence and claimed to have been displaced and incurred expenses for temporary housing and critical needs assistance.
However, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General revealed that Douglas did not reside at or own a home at the address at the time of the storm.
The case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.
Douglas faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected disaster fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations to the National Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721. A live operator is available 24/7 to receive tips. Tips can also be sent via fax to (225) 334-4707 or email to disaster@leo.gov. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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