John T. Floyd Law Firm
Board Certified Houston Criminal Lawyer
“Serious Criminal Defense Throughout Texas”
Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Experienced Criminal Trial Lawyer
Federal And State Criminal Defense
Phone # (713) 224-0101
Toll Free 1-866-374-1327
E-mail jfloyd@JohnTFloyd.com
Top Lawyers: Criminal Defense - 2008, 2009, 2010 HTexas
Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Texas and the U.S.
January 11, 2007
THREE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRING TO FILE FIVE FRAUDULENT FEMA CLAIMS
New charges brings to 37 the number of persons charged with Katrina and Rita Fraud in SDTX
(HOUSTON, TX) - A federal grand jury recently returned an indictment charging Linda West, age 54 of Pasadena, Texas; Michael West, 29 of League City, Texas; and Melissa Findley, 27 of League City, Texas, with conspiring to file fraudulent claims with FEMA for Hurricane Rita disaster assistance, United States Attorney Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. announced today.
Special agents of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and Federal Protective Services arrested the three defendants earlier today. Linda West had her initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Calvin Botley earlier today and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Michael West and Melissa Findley are expected to make their initial appearance before Judge Calvin Botley at 2:00 on Friday, January 12.
The one-count indictment returned against the three defendants on January 8, 2006 accuses them of conspiring to file five fraudulent claims with FEMA for Hurricane Rita relief. According to the indictment, two claims filed in Linda West’s name stated that Rita damaged her primary residence in Cameron, Louisana, when in fact Linda West resided in Pasadena, Texas before, during and after Hurricane Rita. Two claims filed in Melissa Findley’s name and one claim filed in Michael West’s name stated that Rita damaged their primary residence in Cameron, Louisiana, when in fact Melissa Findley and Michael West resided in League City, Texas before, during and after Hurricane Rita. Also according to the indictment, in an attempt to verify her claim with FEMA, Linda West faxed FEMA a letter falsely purporting to be from her landlord in Cameron, Louisiana. According to the indictment, the defendants collectively received more than $16,000 based on these five claims. The conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. With the return of this indictment, a total of 37 individuals have been charged in the Southern District of Texas with fraud relating to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas is a member of the Department of Justice's Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, created by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to deter, detect and prosecute unscrupulous individuals who try to take advantage of the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita disasters. Headed by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher, the Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement investigating agencies and the United States Attorney’s Offices in the Gulf Coast region and nationwide.
[ Back to top ]
