Five Katrina Evacuees Charged WithFraud

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - (09/26/05) – Five Hurricane Katrina evacueesfrom Mississippi was charged Friday with stealing $10,000 in extrarelief funds from a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Thefive, all relatives, were charged with either stealing or forgingRed Cross voucher forms, then cashing them at Envision FCU and theCU Service Center. The money was allegedly used to buy clothes,beer, cigarettes and a used Pontiac Montana minivan. The Red Crosssaid five of the vouchers had been stolen and another five wereforged. For example, one was made out for $305 and changed to$1,305.