WINFREY CHARITY RECIPIENTS CHARGED WITH FRAUD
OPRAH WINFREY’s charity endeavours have come under scrutiny after four Hurricane Katrina survivors were charged with fraud for allegedly obtaining housing assistance from the U.S. government after the star’s benefit fund paid for their new homes.
Winfrey’s Oprah’s Angel Network charity set up several initiatives after the 2005 storm to help displaced residents of New Orleans, Louisiana who lost their homes in the hurricane.
The organisation teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build and furnish houses for approximately 65 families who were forced to relocate to Houston, Texas after Katrina hit.
But now four people who were handed new homes with backing from the star’s Angel Lane Housing Development scheme have been accused of continuing to claim rental benefits from the government.
Darlene McGruder Poole, 30, of Houston, and her sister, Lashona McGruder Victor, 37, of La Place, Louisiana, are charged together with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Kiesha Murphy, 34, and Angela Payne, aka Angela McKinnies, 38, both of Houston, are each charged in separate indictments with making false statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and theft of government property.
U.S. District Attorney Tim Johnson says, "The response to natural disasters brings out the best and worst in people. Generous acts of charity are tarnished by those who despite the generosity of others, fraudulently make claims for government relief funds." Victor and Poole each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted, while Murphy and Payne each face a sentence of up to 15 years and a fine.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
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