Mayor, Town Clerk in Louisiana Plead Guilty to Post-Hurricane Fraud

Two top officials of the Louisiana town of Ball, including the mayor, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency following Hurricane Gustav in 2008.

Mayor Roy Hebron and town clerk Brenda Kimball entered the pleas Feb. 5 in federal court in Alexandria. Hebron quit his job immediately as required by a plea bargain with prosecutors.

Both admitted to overstating the use of town vehicles and equipment and hours worked by town employees. FEMA reimbursed the town for those expenses.

Hebron and Kimball face up to five years in prison and fines of $250,000. They are free until a May 6 sentencing date.

Four other people – including former Police Chief Jay Barber – also have pleaded guilty in the case.