Whether you prefer the mantra, ”There’s no place like home,” or ”Home is where the heart is,” you’re certain to associate a particular comfort with your ”home.’? For many, the home is a place of memories. The thought of losing a home often resonates deeply with many individuals, even fraudsters though not likely for the same reasons. A Cypress Creek Mirror article describes how one fraudulent couple used the idea of losing a home to their benefit.
A Texas couple pleaded guilty in 2012, to defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over $23,000. Following the disaster of Hurricane Ike in September 2008, the couple took advantage of the disaster relief funds provided by FEMA to those whose homes were damaged. (The hurricane damaged almost EVERYONE’s home, so what’s one little $23,000 lie?)Source: Today’s ”Fraud of the Day” is based on an article titled, ”Spring Couple Handed Sentences for Hurricane Ike Fraud,” published by the Cypress Creek Mirror on January 3, 2013.
HOUSTON A local husband and wife have been sentenced to federal prison following their two convictions for defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency in relation to disaster assistance following Hurricane Ike, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced Thursday.