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Laplace Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Michegel Butler, a 41-year-old resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the aftermath of the BP oil spill.
According to court documents, Butler and his co-defendant recruited claimants, requested their personal information, and submitted or caused to be submitted fraudulent Gulf Coast Claims Facility claim forms. The claim forms falsely stated that the claimants worked as non-owner captain/deckhands on a shrimp boat in Venice, Louisiana, and suffered economic loss.
Based on the fraudulent documentation, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility issued approximately $65,300 to undeserving individuals. Butler and his co-defendant shared in the claims proceeds.
The case was brought as part of the Eastern District of Louisiana’s partnership with the National Center for Disaster Fraud, a nationwide initiative to protect available funds and assistance for those victims of natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and the recent Gulf oil spill.
Butler’s co-defendant will also be required to pay restitution in the amount of $65,300 to be paid jointly and severally with Butler.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans was in charge of the prosecution.
Those with knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling (866) 720-5721, faxing (225) 334-4707, emailing at disaster@leo.gov, or in writing to National Center for Disaster Fraud, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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