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Slidell Woman Charged with Defrauding American Red Cross
NEW ORLEANS, LA—LEANDRA THORTON, age 34, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information on charges relating to fraudulent applications she made to the American Red Cross for financial assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the bill of information, the American Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up to $1,565 available to those affected by the hurricanes of 2005 on a one-time and only basis. It is alleged that documents show that on eleven (11) occasions between September 9, 2005 and October 5, 2009, THORTON applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross, each time representing that she had not received assistance in the past. Based on the fraudulent applications, THORTON obtained $14,085.00 from the American Red Cross.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, THORTON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a $250,000 fine, and three (3) years supervised release following imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro Latsis.
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