NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Marrero man has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds related to Hurricane Katrina.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite says 51-year-old Prentiss Martin entered the plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.
According to court documents, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided funds to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to which Martin applied to help rebuild his house in New Orleans after the hurricane.
Authorities say Martin submitted fraudulent documents to support his application and received $80,000 for the reconstruction. However, when investigators traveled to Martin’s property, they found a vacant lot.
Martin faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced July 21.
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