The U.S. attorney’s office in Springfield announced Wednesday that eight people have been accused in indictments of fraudulently obtaining federal disaster benefits after the Joplin tornado a year ago.
David Ketchmark, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a news release that seven current or former residents of Joplin and a Lebanon man were charged in indictments returned under seal by a federal grand jury.
The indictments were unsealed and made public after the arrests and initial court appearances of five of the defendants.
Named in separate indictments returned under seal April 3 were current Joplin residents Karen M. Parks, 37; Ronald M. Irby, 29; Amber N. Peters, 22; Scott B. Olsen, 57; Wanda G. McBride, 51; and Pamala A. Shafer, 37, and a former Joplin resident now living in Borger, Texas, Valerie A. Jay, 41. Shane D. Ellis, 36, of Lebanon, was named in a sealed indictment returned May 8.
The U.S. attorney’s office said the defendants applied for federal disaster benefits through the Federal Emergency Management Agency by claiming that their homes or properties were damaged or destroyed by the tornado on May 22, 2011, that cut a six-mile path across Joplin.
Seven of the defendants are charged with single counts of disaster fraud and making false statements to FEMA. The indictments allege that they claimed to have lived at addresses where they never lived, including an address on Virginia Avenue in Joplin claimed by the man from Lebanon.
McBride is charged with a single count of disaster fraud and two counts of making false statements. In order to obtain temporary rental assistance, she falsely claimed to have been forced to move from a damaged residence to homes at two other addresses where she paid rent, according to the indictment.
Joplin police arrested three of the defendants this week. Irby was arrested Monday, and Parks and Olsen were arrested Tuesday.
Reporting fraud
THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE says anyone with information about disaster fraud related to the Joplin tornado should contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud hot line at 866-720-5271, the FBI’s office in Joplin at 417-206-5700, or the Joplin Police Department at 417-623-3131.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Eight indicted in tornado benefits fraud
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Interfaith service explores different faiths
The interfaith service, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Joplin’s Landreth Park, will explore the theme of “Different Faiths — One Community.’’ The community service is held around the anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado, but organizers say the focus is not specifically on the tornado.
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St. Mary’s breaks ground to replace structures destroyed in 2011 tornado
Ground was broken symbolically Thursday to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the life of St. Mary’s parish in Joplin. “Our life is full of many chapters, and so is our parish,’’ said Bishop James Johnston, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
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Attorney general files suit against California contractor
Attorney General Chris Koster on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a California man, alleging he failed to provide construction materials and home repair services that had been paid for by victims of the Joplin tornado.
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Employees of local businesses chip in again with Rebuild Joplin
Precariously perched at the top of a ladder, Jack Quinn maneuvers himself into a position where he can hammer a nail with one hand and stabilize his balance with the other. Catching his breath, he said, “I’m pretty sure I know the reason I’m not a carpenter.”
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Joplin board issues remainder of $62 million in bonds
The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday authorized the sale of $27 million in bonds to help pay for the rebuilding of schools destroyed by the 2011 tornado.
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Joplin’s rebuilding numbers show no signs of letting up
Though it has slowed from its peak, Joplin’s rebuilding boom shows no signs of letting up.
Building permits totaling about $766 million have been issued by the city of Joplin since the May 2011 tornado. That includes $51 million in the five months since November, which marks the beginning of the city’s fiscal year. -
State allocation would repair Joplin curbs, gutters
Joplin would receive $15 million to repair and replace damaged curbs and guttering under a bill approved by the state Senate. The bill has been sent to the House for debate this week before a final decision is made by the Legislature.
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VIDEO: Youth group builds home to be assembled in Joplin
When the trucks from Elgin, Ill., roll into Joplin in early June, they will be carrying more than just volunteers and a lot of good will. The youth group from Elgin’s First United Methodist Church also will come bearing a house. The group first traveled to Joplin in July 2011 and helped with debris cleanup after the May 22 tornado. In October of that year, the group returned to help a resident put siding on her house.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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