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U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney's Office |
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800 Federal Office Building Ph: (901)544-4231 Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Fax (901)544-4230 TTY: (901) 544-3054 |
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PRESS RELEASE |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LEIGH ANNE JORDON (901) 544-4231 FAX: (901) 544-4230 WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/TNW |
INDIVIDUALS INDICTED FOR “HURRICANE KATRINA FRAUD”
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A federal grand jury returned indictments on July 17, 2007 against Cynthia Yvonne Grice, 38, of Memphis, and Jonnie McGowan, Jr., 41, of Memphis, announced David Kustoff, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Both individuals are charged with filing false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims upon and against an agency of the United States, namely, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in violation of Title 18 USC Section 287.
According to the indictments, Grice and McGowan falsely reported to FEMA that they were residents of Louisiana or Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina in order to obtain FEMA emergency funds. Grice was charged in a one count indictment and McGowan was charged in a five count indictment. Each count of the indictments carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille McMullen is prosecuting these cases for the government.
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