Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Home : Graphics On : Privacy Policy    Sign up for Email: Search:
	Press Releases March 03, 2005   SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON INDICTMENTS FOR FEMA FRAUD 14 people charged separately for fraud claims totaling more than $150,000   Washington, DC – Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) expressed concern today about incidents of waste and fraud in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief program, following an announcement yesterday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida that a grand jury had returned separate indictments against 14 people in Miami-Dade County alleging that they made fraudulent claims for FEMA disaster assistance. The suspects received more than $150,000 in total in disaster assistance from FEMA based on allegedly false claims. Senators Collins and Lieberman announced last month that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would investigate allegations of fraud and waste in the distribution of disaster aid by FEMA. Collins is the Chairman and Lieberman is the Ranking Member of the Committee, which has jurisdiction over fraud and waste in government programs, including FEMA as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Committee investigation is proceeding, and a separate review is also being conducted by the DHS Inspector General’s (IG) Office. The investigations follow concerns expressed by local emergency management officials and members of Congress that people living in areas that may not have qualified for disaster assistance were able to apply for and receive funds from FEMA. In addition, there have been reports of similar fraud and abuse following disasters in other parts of the country. “These indictments heighten our concern that the FEMA disaster relief program may not contain sufficient safeguards to ensure that the integrity of the program – and ultimately taxpayers – are protected. Fraudulent claims that make it successfully through the system are symptoms of ineffective controls, inefficient processing, and wasteful spending,” said Senators Collins and Lieberman. “FEMA funds are very important to help families and communities rebuild from a disaster. We must make every effort possible to ensure that this aid is limited to those who have truly suffered losses.” Committee investigators recently met in Florida with DHS IG auditors and investigators to discuss their findings. The Committee expects to receive a report from the DHS IG sometime this spring. Committee investigators also held discussions with local emergency management officials. The Department of Justice’s press release on the FEMA fraud arrests is available at: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls/HURRICANE%20FRANCES.html.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 March 2005 Press Releases February   |  April   --   2004   |  2006     March 31 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON WMD REPORT   March 31 - SENATOR COLLINS COMMENDS DHS FOR NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS GOALS   March 28 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN: DHS DEEPWATER REPORT INCOMPLETE   March 22 - DHS LAUNCHES SENATOR COLLINS’ PROGRAM TO ENSURE CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES   March 22 - STUDY ON PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS IN RURAL AREAS REINFORCES SENATOR COLLINS’ STANCE ON NEED FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL STATES   March 18 - SENATORS COLLINS & CARPER INTRODUCE POSTAL REFORM LEGISLATION   March 17 - COLLINS, LIEBERMAN URGE ACCELERATION OF COAST GUARD DEEPWATER MODERNIZATION PROGRAM   March 17 - SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN AMENDMENT TO RESTORE $855 MILLION IN HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING; 63-37 VOTE   March 14 - SENATOR COLLINS URGES BUDGET COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE FUNDS FOR POSTAL REFORM   March 11 - SENATOR COLLINS INTRODUCES BILL TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AMBULANCE, RESCUE & OTHER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES   March 9 - COMMITTEE APPROVES MICHAEL JACKSON TO BE DHS DEPUTY SECRETARY   March 9 - SENATOR COLLINS QUESTIONS DHS SECRETARY ON FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   March 8 - SENATOR COLLINS URGES FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   March 7 - SENATOR COLLINS CHAIRS CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR DHS DEPUTY SECRETARY NOMINEE   March 3 - SENATOR COLLINS ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $200,000 FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSETS IN MAINE   March 3 - SENATOR COLLINS REQUESTS EQUAL PAY RAISE FOR FEDERAL CIVILIAN AND MILITARY EMPLOYEES   March 3 current Press Release   March 3 - Senator Collins Introduces National Women’s History Museum Bill   March 2 - Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Federal Whistleblower Protection Introduced In Senate   March 2 - Senator Collins Calls for Greater Protection of Federal Employee’s Private Information   March 1 - Senator Collins Announces Release of Nearly $17 Million for Homeland Security in Maine
About the Committee | Hearings | Legislation & Nominations | Press | Issues | Subcommittees | Committee Documents | Related Links
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510