Bernita Willette Carswell of Jacksonville and Deannajo White of Suwannee County have been charged lying about damage from Hurricane Irma to receive disaster assistance in separate cases. Both women are accused of falsifying records when applying to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for aid. The women could serve up to 30 years each in federal prison.
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Filed under Fraud, Hurricanes
Lynn Haven’s former City Manager Michael White and former community services director David Horton were arrested and charged with conspiring with two businesses to bilk the federal government out of $5 million in Hurricane Michael cleanup money. Erosion Control Specialists owner David White and employee Shannon Rodriguez, and Greenleaf Lawn Care owner Joshua Anderson were arrested as well.
According to U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe, the former Lynn Haven officials approved false invoices from Erosion Control and Greenleaf for work they performed, including wrapping presents, preparing a site for a Halloween party, and cleaning the private homes of several city officials. The officials approved payments to the companies and then sought reimbursement from FEMA. The 35-count indictment includes charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft and honest services fraud.
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Filed under Fraud, Hurricanes
Thousands are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle. The Category 5 storm left 22,000 of Bay County’s residents homeless and few affordable living spaces available. With nearly $7 billion in total insurance losses, about 1 in 6 insurance claims remain unresolved. There is reportedly a mental health crisis and a shortage of healthcare professionals as well.
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Filed under Hurricanes, Property (Homeowners)
