Press Releases
HARVEY WOMAN SENTENCED IN KATRINA FRAUD CASE
March 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LISA N. CAREY, age 43, a resident of Harvey, Louisiana, was sentenced to five (5) years probation by U. S. District Court Judge Jay Zainey for theft of Government funds related to Hurricane Katrina financial assistance, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the probation, the defendant was also ordered to pay full restitution to the SBA in the amount of $59,960 and to FEMA for an additional $2,000 she received in Hurricane Katrina financial assistance. She was also sentenced to 200 hours of community service and fine of $15,000 payable to the United States.
According to court documents, LISA N. CAREYapplied for SBA benefits following Hurricane Katrina and falsely stated in her applications that she resided in Springfield, Louisiana at the time of the alleged losses. Thereafter, CAREY submitted a false building permit, two false residential leases and two false furniture repair bills to the SBA to induce the SBA to release to the defendant funds from her business and home loans. The total loss to the SBA was $59,9600. Judge Zainey admonished CAREY in open court for her “greed” before handing down the sentence, which was pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.
The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration-OIG and was prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera.
