Clarkston pair accused of Katrina fraud

Clarkston, a city of about 7,200 in the southeastern corner of Washington, is 1,841 miles from New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

But Justice Department officials said Thursday that distance didn’t prevent a Clarkston couple from allegedly applying for and getting $29,921 in “hurricane disaster assistance” payments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Steve Roberts, 56, and Sonja Roberts, 40, were indicted Thursday in Spokane on federal charges of mail fraud, theft of government property and making false claims and false statements.

“This case exemplifies the government’s commitment to the detection and exposure of fraudulent claims for disaster relief,” said Jim McDevitt, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

As part of the prosecution, the U.S. attorney said the government will seek return of the taxpayers’ money “for those who are truly deserving and eligible for federal assistance.”

Residents of states hard hit by Hurricane Katrina, including Louisiana and Mississippi, were eligible for federal disaster assistance.

“It is alleged that Steve and Sonya Roberts lived in Clarkston, Wash., when Hurricane Katrina struck, not in New Orleans as they falsely claimed,” McDevitt said.

In September 2005, the Justice Department created a Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes, including charity fraud, identity theft and filing false claims for disaster assistance.

The Robertses apparently will be summoned to U.S. District Court for initial appearances on the criminal charges in the next few days, but a precise date hadn’t been set Thursday.