Ball, Louisiana Municipal Employee Pleads Guilty to Hurricane Disaster Fraud
James Admits to Conspiring to Defraud FEMA After Hurricanes Rita and Gustav

ALEXANDRIA, LA—Laverne J. James, 53, of Ball, LA, who has been employed by the Town of Ball Police Department since 1993, pled guilty today to conspiring with others to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricanes Rita and Gustav, United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced. The plea was entered in United States District Court in Alexandria before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell.

A bill of information charged James with conspiring with others to commit theft of government funds and to commit major disaster benefits fraud. The charges stem from a conspiracy between James and others, including the town’s Mayor and Chief of Police, to submit fraudulent time sheets in support of the Town of Ball’s claims for federal reimbursement assistance under the Public Assistance Program after Hurricane Rita in September 2005, and again after Hurricane Gustav in September 2008. According to court testimony, James did not work at all during the hours reflected on certain time sheets despite having signed off on the accuracy of the relevant time sheets.

James faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. She will also be required to pay restitution to FEMA as determined by the court. Sentencing is scheduled for April 16, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alexandria Resident Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.