FEMA Fraud arrests in Broward County Florida

These were the first in this part of Florida. Previously there had some in Dade County/Miami. Broward only felt the storms of 2004 slightly more than Dade. I wouldn't be surprised if there was fraud in Palm Beach County. There will always be some people trying to take advantage of a disaster.

Open Post- Basil's Blog

Nine Broward County women were arrested Friday on charges they defrauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency by filing false damage claims after Hurricane Frances last year.

The women allegedly pocketed a total of $73,329, according to court records. One is reported to have received $4,072 for clothing she said was ruined. Another claimed the storm ruined three television sets.

"What makes these cases egregious is that this is money that FEMA could use to help real victims who suffered loss not just with Hurricane Frances, but with Katrina and Rita," said Alicia Valle, spokeswoman with the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Friday's arrests were the first in Broward County on charges of defrauding FEMA in Frances' wake. Broward County residents collected a total of $14.1 million from FEMA for hurricane damage. The storm's eye made landfall more than 80 miles north of Fort Lauderdale.

A total of 16 Miami-Dade County residents have been arrested the past year on similar charges related to Frances. Fourteen of them have pleaded guilty to cashing in on the disaster, one is awaiting trial and one was acquitted. Of the 11 defendants who have been sentenced, one got a three-month jail term and the rest were put on probation.