To: National Desk

Contact: David R. Dugas of the Middle District of Louisiana, DOJ, 225-389-0443 or Web: www.usdoj.gov/usao/lam

BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Two more Louisiana residents pleaded guilty in federal court on fraud charges related to hurricane disaster relief programs, U.S. Attorney David R. Dugas of the Middle District of Louisiana announced today.

Edwin L. Franklin of Port Allen, La., pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ralph E. Tyson to a two-count indictment charging him with making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits and for making false and fraudulent statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding damages incurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The indictment alleges that the fraudulent claim filed by Franklin resulted in a total disbursement of over $9,000 to Franklin by FEMA. As a result of his guilty plea to the first and second count of the indictment, Franklin faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the FBI.

Doretta V. Francis of Baton Rouge, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge James J. Brady to making a false and fraudulent claim for Hurricane Katrina disaster assistance benefits. As a result of her guilty plea, Francis faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General.

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 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.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

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