Pipe: I was involved with providing services to Katrina evacuees in Dallas. You would not believe how many fraudsters were involved in pocketing the cash/debit card provided. I think it was for 1200-1800 bucks with subsequent issues. Fraudsters were driving in from all over Texas and North Louisiana. Very little was done about it. You had better believe, with the money involved, the fraud involved will be monumental. I hope BP will handle it better than state and fed involvement five years ago.
In the last couple of days there was an article about a woman in Houston that was convicted for fraud in filing multiple Katrina claims. She had never set foot in New Orleans.
The way the payments and $20 billion was set up, it is just a giant "Slush Fund" for trial lawyers and other fraudsters.
What???? You mean there was no business/economic loss on the gulf???? The premiere oyster supplier didn't really shut down??? This whole thing was concocted in our imaginations???? All the time & money spent "de-greasing" pelicans & turtles was a hoax????