Posted on 09/14/2005 6:30:46 AM PDT by KeyLargo
Possible fraud in wake of Katrina Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - by Rebecca Palsha
Anchorage, Alaska - Alaskans have opened up their wallets for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but there are now concerns over fraud and whether some people are taking advantage of the assistance the American Red Cross is offering.
The Red Cross of Alaska says it doesn't know if anyone has committed fraud yet, but it will investigate allegations that one person who has applied for assistance may not be what he seems.
Din Smith, a former New Orleans native, arrived at the American Red Cross of Alaska office Friday, claiming to be a victim of Hurricane Katrina.
“Why we have to lose so many, so many, so many lives, you know, not only lives but loved ones, family members,” Smith said Friday (right).
According to court documents, Smith lives in Alaska and he was in police custody up to a month before the Category 4 hurricane struck the Gulf Coast region. Those who knew him from a Subway restaurant at the Northway Mall say Smith was working in Alaska on July 29.
“There's more people out there that need more help than him. Just because you don't have a job doesn't mean you have to go to the Red Cross and lie to them,” said Chris Hall (left).
A job, an arrest and at least two months of Alaska residency, but Smith is accepting Red Cross assistance for Hurricane Katrina relief.
“He presented us with legitimate documentation that verified that he was from that area,” said Joe Mathis of the American Red Cross.
His proof of residency was a valid driver's license, but the Red Cross says it just has to take Smith's word that his home was destroyed.
“We just found out about this as you've told us today. And we will look into it and research it and if there’s any kind of fraudulent implications there, we’ll deal with that,” said Mathis.
As for Smith, KTUU-TV could not reach him for comment, and his sister says she doesn’t know of his whereabouts.
So Smith received a free two-week stay at a hotel, and Red Cross protocol also calls for $360 to be given. It’s not a bad deal for a so-called victim who lived in Alaska before Katrina ever hit the Gulf Coast.
The Red Cross says this case is a very gray area for them, but they will err on the side of Smith and anyone else who says they are a victim of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, there are 26 families being helped by the Red Cross of Alaska.
Channel 2 Broadcasting Inc http://www.ktuu.com/
I do not donate to the Red Cross.
"I do not donate to the Red Cross."
That makes two of us. I DID write a hefty check to our local Salvation Army yesterday. They're the best!!!
Some friends and I are donating over $51 Billion to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. I do not plan on giving to the Red Cross.
Tancredo is talking about who should hold the purse strings, this segemnt, on Laura Ingraham. Ping.
Ya think? Surprised there isn't a victim/voter drive going on to register Democrats.
I would bet the fraud goes deeper than just the Red Cross in terms of what gets paid, who it gets paid to by our own Government. Example, FEMA paid someone in FL who shouldn't have received any money, all the 9/11 stories of fraud.
Someone better watch the money with this Katrina mess.
Hello??? I'll bet many of the people who were on assistance before the hurricane are not what they seem. Why are concerned now?
A Massachusetts "refugee" tried to pay bail with his $2,000 FEMA card.
People who try to scam hurricane aid are pathetic, the lowest of the low.
So low that you can't even get angry at them.
Blanco,last week, gave a $300,000,000.00 contract to a company run by the Chairman of the state Democratic Party. A company in which Sen. Fienstien's husband owns 24% has received a $1,000,000.00(+) contract.
That makes 3 of us. The RC has been off my list for years.
This time, I just gave to an animal rescue group.
Alaskans have opened up their wallets for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but there are now concerns over fraud and whether some people are taking advantage of the assistance the American Red Cross is offering.
Gee, who would of thought they would do that?
Get real. The vast majority of those taking advantage have been taught to. It is learned behavior. They will keep on doing it until someone says "GET A JOB" and cuts off the free money. As I have said before, give them 1 month to find a job. Then give them 1 month to get an apartment. After that, cut off the gravy train. They can either do it, or starve to death if they are that stupid.
Luckily, we have Cong. Tom Tancredo, and about 10 others, who are very concerned about the fed $$ flowing into LA.
He and 10 others voted against some of the funding that was just allotted to this effort because there is apparently NO oversight as to where this money is going.
He was just on Laura Ingraham's show talking about it.
Here's an eye-opening thing Tancredo said -- he quoted the head of the FBI for the SE US who said:
"Corruption in LA is endemic, epidemic, and is evident in every level of govt."
I couldn't agree more. If anyone thinks Nagin, Blanco, and Landrieu have shown all the stupidity they have to offer, you ain't seen nothing yet. Elections 2000/2004, 911, Iraq, SCOTUS have all been warm-ups for the terrorist-like attack the left is preparing to launch on us over Katrina.
Ha, good one!
"I quit both Red Cross and United Way a long time ago. Both are rife with manager compensation plans and bonuses which dilute the donations by as much as 25% (or more). Both have admitted to fradulent and unscrupulous practices in the past. Salvation Army is the most solid and compassionate along with Mercy Corp."
***
Ditto here. The United Way denied assistance to one of my family members years ago...long story...but I'll call it a case of reverse racism. And I had heard a lot of bad things about the Red Cross, but I particularly soured on them after 9/11. Both have had histories of fraud and mismanagement.
My late father, who ordinarily didn't like any charity, had high praise for the Salvation Army. During WWII, when he was stationed in Italy, he said he received numerous benefits from the SA....most notably, free cigarettes. The Red Cross charged for their ciggies. LOL
Seriously, he told me he liked the SA people and found them very helpful to GIs in dangerous and otherwise less than ideal situations far from home, and he witnessed charitable acts to the Italian people who suffered greatly during the war. I started giving to SA years ago and have found them to be a "solid" charity.
Possible? POSSIBLE?! No DUH!
Did this just occur to some people?? It's just another form of looting. Give them their free lodging and medical care. JAIL 'EM.
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