Alabama Man Gets Prison for April 27 Disaster Fraud

A west Alabama man is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges linked to the April 27 tornadoes.

U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler sentenced 47-year-old Robert Lee Spires to 21 months in prison for fraudulently claiming disaster benefits after the twisters.

The judge also ordered Spires during a hearing Thursday to pay almost $1,600 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Spires pleaded guilty in November. Authorities say he falsely claimed to be renting a house that was hit by the tornado that struck Tuscaloosa.