Jefferson County man guilty of FEMA fraud related to Hurricane Harvey | USAO-EDTX

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man pleaded guilty to hurricane fraud in eastern Texas, US Attorney General Nicholas J. Ganjei announced today.

Jose Luis Carrillo, 50, pleaded guilty before US Judge Keith F. Giblin today to information alleging that he was fraudulent in relation to a major disaster or emergency relief.

“Cheating federal programs is always a monstrous act,” said Acting US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Disaster relief fraud is even more serious because the resources to help people in times of greatest need are limited.”

Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, stated, “This investigation and the ensuing plea shows our continued commitment to identify and investigate all fraud allegations in order to protect the integrity of FEMA’s taxpayer-funded programs. Theft of funds from DHS programs designed to help those in need will not be tolerated. “

According to information presented in court, Hurricane Harvey hit land in southeast Texas in August 2017 and caused significant damage in the area. On September 21, 2017, Carrillo applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance in a damaged apartment on Luis Drive in Port Arthur. Carrillo stated that he owned the damaged apartment and that it was his primary residence. Carrillo received a total of $ 23,619.70 in FEMA assistance for rental expenses and home repairs. The actual residents of the dormitory also submitted an application, but were denied service. An investigation found that actual residents had lived on the site from July 2017 until they moved out in late August 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. Carrillo admitted that he had defrauded the house as his primary residence in order to raise FEMA funds.

Carrillo faces up to 30 years in federal prison. The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes as the conviction is determined by the court based on advisory judgment guidelines and other legal factors. A hearing on the verdict will be scheduled after the U.S. Parole Department completes a screening investigation.

This case has been investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and is being pursued by U.S. Assistant Attorney Rachel Grove.

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