A federal audit of the money given to Floridians after Hurricane Frances shows that $31M was distributed inappropriately. Most of this was given to people after verbal descriptions of their
losses.
OK, well maybe there wasn't an intentional plan to buy people's votes, but I am pretty sure that they knew that it would make people feel better about their government. Giving them a fat check certainly couldn't hurt.
Some examples...
_At least $9 million in rental assistance to 4,985 county residents without proof that the applicants met the criteria for aid. FEMA officials said they are reviewing inspection procedures and guidelines.
_ $720,000 to 228 applicants for personal property items based only on the applicants' verbal descriptions of the losses. FEMA agreed that documentation of items discarded could be improved and pledged to research alternatives.
_ $97,500 to replace 15 automobiles with a combined Blue Book value of $56,140, and other questionable automobile repair costs. FEMA agreed to improve its criteria and documentation for car repairs and replacement, but said the market value of cars is not its criteria for awards, but rather the cost of replacement transportation.
_ $15,743 for three funerals which the review concluded may not have been disaster-related.
Now, I don't know. People are prone to take advantage when money is being given out. But it also seems like it would be a pretty easy way to distribute some money quickly.
Make a verbal claim, get paid. Easy as that. Sounds too easy. Where was this? Oh, yeah. Miami-Dade County.
FEMA designated Miami-Dade County eligible for individual assistant grants without a document assessment of damages or analyses of the impact of Frances -- later widely described as that of a typical thunderstorm. Frances' most damaging winds hit well north of Miami-Dade.
OK. I report you decide.
$31 Million??