Woman Pleads Guilty To FEMA Fraud, Possession Of Stolen Mail, Identity Theft

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued the following news release:

ALICIA VICTORIA GEE , age 39, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey , to theft of government funds, possession of stolen mail matter and identity theft, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten .

According to court documents, GEE received disaster relief assistance from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina but failed to inform FEMA that she received insurance funds despite having been notified that FEMA cannot pay for damage that is cover by insurance. GEE also provided FEMA with false and fraudulent statements stating she was a property "renter" not an "owner" before the storm and fraudulently received $53,097 in FEMA funds.

GEE also pled guilty to one count of possession of stolen mail matter belonging to victim P.D. on or about December 12, 2008 and one count of identity theft of the same victim's social security number and financial and credit information in May 2008.

Upon sentencing, set for November 29, 2011, GEE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty (30) years, criminal forfeiture, fines, and a $300.00 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Julia K. Evans .

(Download Factual Basis (http://www.justice.gov/usao/lae/news/2011/downloads/factual_basis_alicia_victoria_gee.pdf))

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