Special to L’OBSERVATEUR

NEW ORLEANS—A LaPlace woman accused of swindling more than $8,000 of financial assistance from the American Red Cross for the 2005 hurricanes pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans last Wednesday.

Definey L. Brooks, 39, entered her plea before U.S District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle. Brooks was convicted of one count of mail fraud in connection with falsified applications for financial assistance that she submitted to the American Red Cross between September 2005 and October 2005, according to a release from U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Brooks faces a possible maximum prison term of 20 years and is subject to a $250,0000 fine.

According to court documents, Brooks applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the American Red Cross seven times. The assistance, which provided up to $1,565 to residents of the area affected by the 2005 hurricanes, was a one-time only opportunity.

Authorities involved in the case said Brooks claimed on several occasions that she had not received any money from the Red Cross and made attempts to apply repeatedly. Court documents said Brooks fraudulently obtained $8,790 from the Red Cross.

The case was investigated by the U. S. Postal Inspection Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Brooks’ sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2009.