I'll just let these articles speak for themselves.
RELIEF FUNDS
11 accused of seeking more checks are arrested
HPD task force is trying to keep the federal money in the right hands and curtail abuse
By MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Eleven people were arrested Thursday, accused of trying to collect more than one Katrina aid check from the American Red Cross, Houston police said.
The arrests took place at St. Agnes Baptist Church on the day the Houston Police Department announced the creation of a task force aimed at curtailing fraud and abuse of the relief funds for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Our goal is to make those who are legitimately seeking assistance feel safe and to discourage those who want to take advantage of the situation and the survivors," HPD Burglary and Theft Division Lt. Craig Williams said.
With about 30,000 debit cards issued to victims of Hurricane Katrina from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, police acknowledge the potential for abuse.
There have been reported incidents of evacuees making as many as six trips through the lines to receive financial assistance, police said. One man fled St. Agnes on Tuesday after Red Cross volunteers recognized him when he tried to use false identification to obtain a second relief check.
"We're also getting reports of people getting cards stolen or loaning cards out to friends," Williams said.
Those caught trying to get more than one relief check could face charges of providing false information to obtain property — a felony if the amount received is at least $1,500, Williams said.
The officers assigned to the Katrina Debit Card Fraud Task Force have expertise in financial crimes, such as identity theft and credit card and check abuse, officials said.
The task force will not address how the Hurricane Katrina evacuees spend legitimately awarded financial assistance.
"If you want to go buy a plasma TV or Nike tennis shoes, that's your business," Williams said. "We have no control over that."
Likewise, police said, the influx of Katrina relief funds could make evacuees the target of criminals. HPD officials reminded evacuees to guard their personal information and to be aware of their surroundings when using the debit cards.
"We see the potential for hurricane survivors to be abused," department spokesman Alvin Wright said. "We're trying to be proactive and letting the crooks know that we're watching them."
mike.glenn@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/katrina/3356402
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sept. 16, 2005, 11:05PM
Crackdown on relief fraud brings more arrests
At least 25 have been accused of trying to obtain money that wasn't meant for them
By ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
At least 25 people have been arrested and accused of attempting to "double dip" and fraudulently receive Hurricane Katrina relief funds from the American Red Cross, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt announced Friday.
The arrests were made Thursday and Friday at St. Agnes Baptist Church, where the Red Cross has been distributing checks and debit cards meant for evacuees, Hurtt said.
As of Friday night, misdemeanor and felony charges were filed against 11 people. Providing false information is punishable by up to two years in prison, Hurtt said.
The crackdown comes just days after Mayor Bill White and Hurtt announced that such scofflaws would be found and prosecuted and after the creation of a special Houston Police Department unit, the Katrina Debit Card Fraud Task Force.
"We told you we would be very aggressive in arrests and prosecution," Hurtt said at a news conference.
One person questioned turned out to be a Beaumont resident who ultimately was released, but the case is pending. It remains unknown whether the 15 people arrested, ranging in age from 15 to 42, are indeed Katrina victims.
One of those charged was a 15-year-old who successfully obtained Red Cross money using a bogus license that indicated he was three years older, police said. The teen identified himself as the head of a household that included a 6- or 7-year-old child, said Lt. C. Williams of the HPD burglary and theft division. The teen's actions were discovered on a second attempt to get Red Cross money. Williams said some of the arrests are the result of HPD officers posing as volunteers, while uniformed officers also are on patrol where funds are distributed. Volunteers, Williams added, have been pointing out people who have repeatedly sought more money.
"We have people observing the process for any suspicious activity, and we will make arrests and seek prosecution," Williams said.
Gregory Smith, a Red Cross official, explained that the crackdown does not apply to those who make innocent mistakes, but it is directed at those who intentionally seek relief funds more than once.
The fraud, Smith said, has a "demoralizing" effect on volunteers and those who truly need the help. Meanwhile, he added, Red Cross officials worry the thefts will result in fewer donations to the agency.
rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/katrina/3357631
-----------------------------------------------------
I could have told you this was going to happen. How many more of these incidents from around the country are happening but are not being reported by the media?
This makes me very mad. If the government gave me a $2,000 debit card to help me get back up on my feet, I certainly wouldn't have misused this money!
RELIEF FUNDS
11 accused of seeking more checks are arrested
HPD task force is trying to keep the federal money in the right hands and curtail abuse
By MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Eleven people were arrested Thursday, accused of trying to collect more than one Katrina aid check from the American Red Cross, Houston police said.
The arrests took place at St. Agnes Baptist Church on the day the Houston Police Department announced the creation of a task force aimed at curtailing fraud and abuse of the relief funds for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Our goal is to make those who are legitimately seeking assistance feel safe and to discourage those who want to take advantage of the situation and the survivors," HPD Burglary and Theft Division Lt. Craig Williams said.
With about 30,000 debit cards issued to victims of Hurricane Katrina from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, police acknowledge the potential for abuse.
There have been reported incidents of evacuees making as many as six trips through the lines to receive financial assistance, police said. One man fled St. Agnes on Tuesday after Red Cross volunteers recognized him when he tried to use false identification to obtain a second relief check.
"We're also getting reports of people getting cards stolen or loaning cards out to friends," Williams said.
Those caught trying to get more than one relief check could face charges of providing false information to obtain property — a felony if the amount received is at least $1,500, Williams said.
The officers assigned to the Katrina Debit Card Fraud Task Force have expertise in financial crimes, such as identity theft and credit card and check abuse, officials said.
The task force will not address how the Hurricane Katrina evacuees spend legitimately awarded financial assistance.
"If you want to go buy a plasma TV or Nike tennis shoes, that's your business," Williams said. "We have no control over that."
Likewise, police said, the influx of Katrina relief funds could make evacuees the target of criminals. HPD officials reminded evacuees to guard their personal information and to be aware of their surroundings when using the debit cards.
"We see the potential for hurricane survivors to be abused," department spokesman Alvin Wright said. "We're trying to be proactive and letting the crooks know that we're watching them."
mike.glenn@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/katrina/3356402
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sept. 16, 2005, 11:05PM
Crackdown on relief fraud brings more arrests
At least 25 have been accused of trying to obtain money that wasn't meant for them
By ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
At least 25 people have been arrested and accused of attempting to "double dip" and fraudulently receive Hurricane Katrina relief funds from the American Red Cross, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt announced Friday.
The arrests were made Thursday and Friday at St. Agnes Baptist Church, where the Red Cross has been distributing checks and debit cards meant for evacuees, Hurtt said.
As of Friday night, misdemeanor and felony charges were filed against 11 people. Providing false information is punishable by up to two years in prison, Hurtt said.
The crackdown comes just days after Mayor Bill White and Hurtt announced that such scofflaws would be found and prosecuted and after the creation of a special Houston Police Department unit, the Katrina Debit Card Fraud Task Force.
"We told you we would be very aggressive in arrests and prosecution," Hurtt said at a news conference.
One person questioned turned out to be a Beaumont resident who ultimately was released, but the case is pending. It remains unknown whether the 15 people arrested, ranging in age from 15 to 42, are indeed Katrina victims.
One of those charged was a 15-year-old who successfully obtained Red Cross money using a bogus license that indicated he was three years older, police said. The teen identified himself as the head of a household that included a 6- or 7-year-old child, said Lt. C. Williams of the HPD burglary and theft division. The teen's actions were discovered on a second attempt to get Red Cross money. Williams said some of the arrests are the result of HPD officers posing as volunteers, while uniformed officers also are on patrol where funds are distributed. Volunteers, Williams added, have been pointing out people who have repeatedly sought more money.
"We have people observing the process for any suspicious activity, and we will make arrests and seek prosecution," Williams said.
Gregory Smith, a Red Cross official, explained that the crackdown does not apply to those who make innocent mistakes, but it is directed at those who intentionally seek relief funds more than once.
The fraud, Smith said, has a "demoralizing" effect on volunteers and those who truly need the help. Meanwhile, he added, Red Cross officials worry the thefts will result in fewer donations to the agency.
rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/katrina/3357631
-----------------------------------------------------
I could have told you this was going to happen. How many more of these incidents from around the country are happening but are not being reported by the media?
This makes me very mad. If the government gave me a $2,000 debit card to help me get back up on my feet, I certainly wouldn't have misused this money!
