Texas ‘Victims’ Plead Guilty for Making False Hurricane Katrina Claims

December 13, 2005

Two McLennan County, Texas women, apprehended after they claimed to be victims of Hurricane Katrina and attempted to obtain federal emergency benefits, have pleaded guilty to filing false, fictitious or fraudulent claims and could face five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Prosecutors told KWTX, Channel 10, they allege the two applied online to receive financial relief benefits from FEMA and falsely claimed to be Louisiana residents who had suffered losses because of Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. District Judge Walter Smith heard testimony in Waco, Texas from Michelle Lynn Goodwin of Moody and Kelly Suzanne Oliver of Waco. Sentencing will take place Feb. 8.

The same charge is pending against George Marrero, who prosecutors say worked with Oliver at the Waco Humane Society. Marrero and Goodwin were named in federal indictments charging one count of making a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Claims Hurricane

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Latest Comments

  • November 16, 2007 at 9:40 am
    Everyone deserves forgiveness says:
    First off I would like to extend my apologies to anyone and everyone out there for what I have done. I was in a bad way at the time and not in my right mind. I have since been... read more
  • December 14, 2005 at 6:19 am
    compnurse says:
    Good idea for all the cheaters. Even the many work comp cheaters who cannot work due to some chiro saying they are \"totally disabled\" yet they are followed and filmed perfo... read more
  • December 14, 2005 at 12:27 pm
    compman says:
    There punishment should be to have to go down and do the cleanup and help rebuild the areas that were devasted. Also, I would like to see a billboard with there pictures on i... read more

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