(NEW ORLEANS)---A Hammond woman pled guilty on Wednesday, June 25, to federal charges that she submitted fraudulent applications for financial assistance from the American Red Cross after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Letten reports that 43-year-old Debra McGowan faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on three counts of mail fraud charges when her sentencing occurs, now scheduled for October 1.

Letten says that McGowan applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross seven times between September 15 and October 25, 2005, indicating that she had not yet received any money from the organization.

Letten adds that McGowan received some $9,090 from the Red Cross, even though the one-time-only assistance program only offered up to $1,565.

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