One Louisiana resident pleaded guilty and three Louisiana residents were sentenced in federal court on fraud charges related to hurricane disaster relief programs, U.S. Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

Kim M. Cummings, 38, of Baton Rouge, La., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to count one of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General. As a result of her guilty plea, Cummings faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney's Office will dismiss count two of the indictment when Cummings is sentenced.

Vinita S. Lane, 28, of Baton Rouge, La., pleaded guilty on June 14, 2006, to count one of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola today to three years probation and $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation of this matter.

Jenny L. Lowery, 22, of Baton Rouge, La., pleaded guilty on May 23, 2006, to count one of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola today to three years probation and $1,916 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI conducted the investigation of this matter.

Whitney R. Paul, of Donaldsonville, La., pleaded guilty on May 25, 2006, to count one of an indictment charging her with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Polozola today to five years probation and $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI conducted the investigation of this matter.

Seventy-four individuals in total have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds.

In September 2005, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales created the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, designed to deter, investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes such as charity fraud, identity theft, procurement fraud and insurance fraud. The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force - chaired by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division - includes the FBI, the U.S. Inspectors General community, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and others.

For further information, contact David R. Dugas, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, or Lyman Thornton, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (225) 389-0443. Anyone suspecting criminal activity involving disaster assistance programs can make an anonymous report by calling the toll-free Hurricane Relief Fraud Hotline, 1-866-720-5721, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Information can also be emailed to the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force at HKFTF@leo.gov or sent by surface mail, with as many details as possible, to Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.

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