INFORMATION ISSUED BY U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA ON MARCH 28: ATLANTA WOMAN SENTENCED FOR KATRINA FRAUD

The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of Georgia issued the following press release:

NAKIA DEWUANE GRIMES, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia was sentenced today by United States District Judge Clarence Cooper on a charge of using the mail to defraud the United States government.

"As I stated last week when HENRY P. EDWARDS and DWIGHT M. THOMAS pleaded guilty to stealing FEMA funds that were intended for Hurricane Katrina victims, our investigation into those who fraudulently obtained Hurricane Katrina funds is continuing. It is shameful that someone would try to take advantage of the worst natural disaster in our nation's history by illegally attempting to obtain money dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

GRIMES was sentenced to 4 months home confinement and 3 years of probation.

GRIMES was convicted of these charges on December 13, 2005.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: On September 14, 2005, GRIMES submitted an application, via the Internet, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking $2,000.00 available for victims of Hurricane Katrina. GRIMES submitted false information on the application indicating that she was a resident of New Orleans and a victim of the hurricane. However, she was not a victim of the Hurricane and was not living in any area affected by Hurricane Katrina. GRIMES requested that her relief check of $2,000.00 be sent to her at a relative's house in Atlanta. On September 20, 2005, GRIMES was notified by the United States Postal Service that she had a letter that she needed to sign for at the Post Office. GRIMES arrived at the Post Office and was arrested after she signed for and accepted the letter from FEMA containing the $2,000.00 relief check.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Aaron M. Danzig prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney or F. Gentry Shelnutt, Chief, Criminal Division, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan. Contact: Patrick Crosby, 404/581-6016.

Patrick Crosby, 404/581-6016.