Mitigation Analyst from Home Elevation Program Charged with Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS—WANDA ACKER WILLIAMS, age 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a one count bill of information with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the bill of information, WILLIAMS, who was a mitigation analyst in the New Orleans office of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, used her position as a mitigation analyst to mine the database of homeowners eligible for federal elevation dollars and then provided those names to an individual referred to as R.D. in exchange for money. R.D. is alleged to have been in the business of securing contracts with homeowners for general contractors and sub-contractors in exchange for a percentage of the total contract amount. Upon receiving the lists of names from WILLIAMS, R.D. would either sell the lists to general contractors for them to secure contracts or would use the names as leads to solicit those homeowners to enter a contract with a contractor with whom R.D. did business.

The bill of information alleges that on seven occasions WILLIAMS received cash in exchange for a list of eligible homeowners. BRIANNA LAFRANCE, who was a mitigation analyst prior to March 25, 2011, when she went to work for R.D., is alleged to have assisted in two of the transactions between WILLIAMS and R.D.

WILLIAMS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of $250,000.00, and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security-OIG with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily K. Greenfield and Matthew Coman.