Russell Lamar Green, False Statements, Missouri 2023

A Webb City man’s attempt to receive federal disaster benefits after a devastating tornado has ended in guilty plea, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.

Russell Lamar Green, 35, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a failed attempt to fraudulently receive federal disaster benefits following the tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011, killing 158 people and causing over $2.9 billion in damage.

Green, a resident of Webb City, Missouri, admitted to claiming on a July 5, 2011, FEMA application for disaster assistance that his primary residence in Joplin had been damaged by the tornado. He also claimed to have lost a television, radio, portable space heater, microwave, humidifier, electric fan, and clothing as a result of the tornado.

However, Green’s girlfriend had rented the apartment prior to the Joplin tornado, but she moved out before the tornado struck. There was no financial loss to FEMA, as Green’s fraud was detected before the false claim was paid.

Under federal statutes, Green is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Joplin, Missouri, Police Department.

Disaster Fraud Hotline: Anyone with information about disaster fraud related to the Joplin tornado should call the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721, the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131, or the FBI’s Joplin office at 417-206-5700.

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