TWO MORE PLEAD GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES

BATON ROUGE, LA – Two more Louisiana residents pled guilty in federal court on charges of fraud related to hurricane disaster relief programs, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today.

KEISHA U. FRANKLIN, age 29, and FREDRICA L. EHIOROBO, age 20, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, each pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to Count One of an indictment charging each with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of their guilty pleas to Count One, FRANKLIN and EHIOROBO each faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of each indictment when FRANKLIN and EHIOROBO are sentenced on Count One.

The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred nine.

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 United States 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 <mailto:HKFTF@leo.gov> 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.

Middle District of Louisiana FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: DAVID R. DUGAS FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2007 (225) 389-0443 <file://WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAM> WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/LAM FAX: (225) 389-0561

TWO MORE PLEAD GUILTY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES BATON ROUGE, LA – Two more Louisiana residents pled guilty in federal court on charges of fraud related to hurricane disaster relief programs, United States Attorney David R. Dugas announced today. KEISHA U. FRANKLIN, age 29, and FREDRICA L. EHIOROBO, age 20, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, each pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge John V. Parker to Count One of an indictment charging each with making a false and fraudulent claim for disaster assistance benefits. The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. As a result of their guilty pleas to Count One, FRANKLIN and EHIOROBO each faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. As part of the plea agreements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will dismiss Count Two of each indictment when FRANKLIN and EHIOROBO are sentenced on Count One. The number of individuals who have been charged in the Middle District of Louisiana with violations related to hurricane disaster relief funds stands at one hundred nine. 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 United States 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 <mailto:HKFTF@leo.gov> 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.