Hammond Woman Sentenced For Hurricane Katrina Fraud

A Hammond woman has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining funds from the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina. 

U.S. District Judge Lance Africk yesterday also ordered 31-year-old Lafreda Winston to pay full restitution to the Red Cross.  Winston pleaded guilty in September to a charge she falsely stated that she was eligible for more than $1,500 in Red Cross aid money when she had already received the maximum amount allowed. Prosecutors said she used a Red Cross-issued debit card she fraudulently obtained to make a purchase at a Hammond gas station.