Woman Accused Of Claiming She's A Katrina Victim
Charities Contributed House, Money To Woman
POSTED: 7:20 pm EDT September 19, 2005
LANSING, Mich. -- A 43-year-old woman was arrested Monday and charged with filing a false claim for assistance as a victim of Hurricane Katrina.
Kim Horn, of Mason, is accused of defrauding the city, which is about 15 miles south of Lansing. She is also accused of bilking local charities, which contributed a house, money and other items to Horn and her 6-year-old daughter.
Mason Police Chief John Stressman said Horn claimed she left Louisiana because of the hurricane, which hit the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. But Horn actually moved to Michigan nine days before the hurricane came ashore, Stressman said.
"She was never anywhere near the hurricane is the best we can figure out," he said.
Police began investigating Horn after receiving tips Friday.
"This is certainly a sad situation when you consider the valuable resources and charitable contributions given to this woman, which could have been spent on those who truly need our help," Mason Administrator Martin Colburn said.
Horn is charged with larceny by fraud over $1,000 and below $20,000. If convicted, she faces up to 5 years in prison.
She was in custody Monday at the Ingham County Jail and declined to speak about her case. A pretrial hearing is set for Sept. 29.
:cursin: :scared
Charities Contributed House, Money To Woman
POSTED: 7:20 pm EDT September 19, 2005
LANSING, Mich. -- A 43-year-old woman was arrested Monday and charged with filing a false claim for assistance as a victim of Hurricane Katrina.
Kim Horn, of Mason, is accused of defrauding the city, which is about 15 miles south of Lansing. She is also accused of bilking local charities, which contributed a house, money and other items to Horn and her 6-year-old daughter.
Mason Police Chief John Stressman said Horn claimed she left Louisiana because of the hurricane, which hit the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. But Horn actually moved to Michigan nine days before the hurricane came ashore, Stressman said.
"She was never anywhere near the hurricane is the best we can figure out," he said.
Police began investigating Horn after receiving tips Friday.
"This is certainly a sad situation when you consider the valuable resources and charitable contributions given to this woman, which could have been spent on those who truly need our help," Mason Administrator Martin Colburn said.
Horn is charged with larceny by fraud over $1,000 and below $20,000. If convicted, she faces up to 5 years in prison.
She was in custody Monday at the Ingham County Jail and declined to speak about her case. A pretrial hearing is set for Sept. 29.
:cursin: :scared
