FEMA gave $31M in aid to the unqualified

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave more than $31 million to thousands of Floridians who may not have qualified for any disaster aid after Hurricane Frances, one of several findings of a federal audit that said the aid system was vulnerable to fraud.

The finding, released to a Senate committee Wednesday, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted requests for aid in Miami-Dade County on verbal assurances, without proof of damage like repair receipts or proof of ownership.

"It was a pay first, ask questions later approach," said Sen. Susan Collins R-Maine, chairwoman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

With another active hurricane season on the horizon, "we cannot sweep such allegations under the rug," Collins added. "This issue has ramifications that are relevant to future disaster relief efforts in all regions of our country."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/05/18/fema_gave_31m_in_aid_to_the_unqualified/

to be loose with the money to gain favor for the administration.

Still full of people who lost their homes. Some expecting insurance payment--not just FEMA--but they're waiting....

are you trying to say they won't be there this year when disaster strikes? :sarcasm:

FEMA Subsidized Bush's Florida 2004 Campaign

http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

Lori Price