8 Indicted in Joplin Tornado Fraud

May 16, 2012 1:19 PM

Debris from destroyed homes are seen after a massive tornado passed through the town on May 24, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. 116 people are known to have been killed and authorities expect the death toll to climb in the town of 50,000 people. Rescue workers are searching for survivors as the threat of further storms still looms. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Crime, Local News, News

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Seven Joplin residents and a Laclede County man are facing federal fraud charges over requests for FEMA aid after the deadly May 2011 tornado.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Springfield announced the separate grand jury indictments on Wednesday. Each of the defendants is accused of falsely claiming damage to their homes or property in Federal Emergency Management Agency applications for disaster benefits.

Those charged are Karen Marie Parks, Ronald Martell Irby; Amber Nicole Peters; Scott Bradley Olsen, Wanda Gail McBride and Pamala Ann Shafer, of Joplin, and Valerie Ann Jay, a former Joplin resident who now lives in Borger, Texas. The eighth defendant is Shane D. Ellis of Lebanon.