U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DANIELLE RANDALL, 42, of Gretna, pled guilty today to Count One of an Indictment charging her with theft of federal funds.
According to court documents, on or about Aug. 29, 2012, Hurricane Isaac struck southeastern Louisiana and shortly thereafter, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA") declared a major disaster in parts of southeastern Louisiana, including the Eastern District of Louisiana. To assist individuals in coping with damage to their personal property and primary residences, FEMA established an application process for temporary disaster assistance. RANDALL submitted an application for Disaster Assistance for damage to her apartment and personal property. After she received an initial disbursement of approximately $3,000, RANDALL continued to apply for housing assistance while falsely representing her rental address and housing expenses. In total, RANDALL’s false submissions to FEMA allowed her received four U.S. Treasury checks totaling $10, 953 to which she was not entitled.
RANDALL faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000 and a special assessment of $100. Additionally, RANDALL also faces mandatory restitution of at least $10,953. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for May 4, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
