Two in Dallas accused of Katrina fraud

[TexasStooge]

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - Two Dallas residents have been accused of separate schemes to impersonate hurricane evacuees and bilk the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of thousands of dollars, authorities said.

Lakietha Hall, 35, was arrested Wednesday and charged with stealing more than $65,000 in FEMA money, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office. Authorities seized more than $10,000 in cash during a search of Hall's apartment, the release said.

Prosecutors said Hall filed the fraudulent claims with FEMA and the Louisiana Department of Labor using the identities - including names and Social Security numbers - of other people, many of them with the surname "Hall," without their consent.

Hall appeared in court and was free on bond. Attempts to reach her by telephone were unsuccessful.

Authorities also said Kenneth Reven McClain, 22, who was arrested in November, faces charges of conspiracy and filing false claims against a U.S. agency. He had at least 27 known aliases, prosecutors said.

McClain, who remained in custody, gave FEMA officials a New Orleans address and submitted false claims totaling more than $10,000.