By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

Two Buffalo residents were charged with defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scam relating to Hurricane Rita.

Valetta Simmons, 44, and James Wilson, 56, face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

The defendants were charged with theft of government money and mail fraud following their claims to FEMA for disaster assistance in the wake of the storm. Simmons claimed that she was living in Texas and was forced to relocate to Buffalo as a result of the hurricane. However, evidence established that Simmons was living in Buffalo at the time Hurricane Rita made landfall, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Mango.

Wilson allegedly assisted Simmons in the fraud by creating false documents, invoices and receipts, all of which were submitted to FEMA.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Gregory Null. Mango will handle the trial of the case.