Gretna Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Filing Fraudulent Claims for Oil Spill Compensation

CAM T. HANG, age 48, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to one count of mail fraud relating to a fraudulent application she made to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) for financial assistance during the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to court documents, the GCCF made disaster assistance money available to individuals and businesses affected by the oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010. The GCCF required business owners claiming a loss to have been the lawful owner or authorized operator or employee of the business at the time of the oil spill and to verify loss of income. The documents show that from May 14, 2010 to September 12, 2010, HANG fraudulently applied for disaster assistance funds, representing that she was the owner of the C.H. Food Mart, Inc. at the time of the explosion. HANG further admitted today that she had sold the business prior to the explosion. Based on the fraudulent applications, the GCCF ultimately issued a check to C.H. Food Mart, Inc. and HANG in the amount of $42,000, which HANG was not entitled to.

HANG faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,0000 fine, and three years of supervised release following imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 22, 2011.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans.