|
Ranchers indicted on fraud charges
By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published August 20, 2009
HIGH ISLAND — A group of ranchers are accused by federal prosecutors of falsely claiming that more than 500 head of cattle they owned on Bolivar Peninsula were washed away three years ago by Hurricane Rita.
In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, the six members of the High Island Cattle Association and another rancher were accused of supporting each others’ claims of cattle losses in affidavits that the U.S. Attorney’s Office said were false. The ranchers sought federal money to cover their losses through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Indemnity Program.
Prosecutors allege the cattle claimed to have been swept into the Gulf of Mexico or to have drowned never existed. None of those indicted actually live on the peninsula.
Charged with conspiracy to defraud the government by filing false claims are Mark Witliff, 52, of Houston; Richard Roberson, 61, of Port Arthur; Beaumont residents Jackie Hanna, 59, Donald Loiacana, 57, his wife, Pamela Loiacana, 54, and his brother, Anthony Loiacana, 56.
All six were arrested at their homes Wednesday morning.
The indictment alleges after the suspects learned of the federal program that would reimburse each rancher up to $80,000, they conspired to make claims and support each others’ losses through eyewitness affidavits that they lost 500 head of cattle to Rita, which sideswiped High Island.
The six suspects are scheduled to be in federal court next week.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter |
Comment
|
|
|
