News from May 2023
Deadline to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance is May 25
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
This Thursday, May 25, is the last day to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. If you are a survivor of the March tornados and severe storms and interested in help with your recovery, submit your application by 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
FEMA, VDEM Approve Plan to Make Virginia Stronger Against Disasters with a Goal of Expanding Equity
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The Commonwealth of Virginia adopts its updated Hazard Mitigation Plan with new goals and actions for the next five years.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for the Northern Mariana Islands
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Typhoon Mawar beginning May 22, 2023 and continuing.
Two Weeks Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Homeowners and renters in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties who had damage or losses in the March 31 to April 1 storms and tornadoes have just two weeks left to apply for federal disaster assistance.
FEMA Supporting Typhoon Mawar Response
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
President Biden granted emergency declarations today to both the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam ahead of Typhoon Mawar. The declarations authorize FEMA to supplement territorial and local response efforts to help save lives, protect property, public health and safety.
Tomorrow, May 25 is the Deadline to Apply
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Tomorrow, May 25 is the last day to apply for federal disaster assistance. If you are a survivor of the March tornados and severe storms and interested in help with your recovery, submit your applications.
Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
As Oklahoma residents repair and rebuild their properties after the April 19-20 severe storms, those hiring a contractor should proceed with caution and heed the warning of local and state emergency management officials.
Beaches Prepare with FEMA Funds for this Summer’s Wave of Visitors
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Over $9 million from federal agency support the reconstruction of these recreational areas
FEMA and other Federal Agencies Continue Supporting Typhoon Mawar Response and Monitor Storm Closely
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Following President Biden’s emergency declarations on Tuesday for both the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam ahead of Typhoon Mawar, FEMA has more than 130 staff either already deployed to the Pacific or pre-staged to be able to quickly supplement territorial and local response efforts to help save lives, protect property, public health and safety. Also, over 100 generators as well as emergency communications equipment and specialized personnel have mobilized and ready.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 6.75 Years in Prison for Schemes to Steal California Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Economic Injury Disaster Loans
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Eric Michael Jaklitsch, 40, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced today to six years and nine months in prison for two related COVID-19 fraud cases, one case alleging wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in California and the other case alleging wire fraud in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Charged with Attempting to Distribute Methamphetamine and Receiving Bribes
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Hector Hernandez made his initial appearance in federal court today on charges that he agreed to accept $25,000 in bribes to distribute methamphetamine and to open a restricted border gate to allow unauthorized migrants to illegally enter the United States.
Waterbury Man Admits Theft of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as “OJ Harrington” 31, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a fraud offense related to his theft of pandemic unemployment benefits.
Spokane Resident Sentenced to 6 Months for COVID-19 Relief Fraud
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Natasha Ann Opsal, 41, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. United States District Judge Thomas Rice announced the sentence, the most recent obtained by the COVID-19 Relief Fraud Strike Force.
Former CEO of Connecticut Energy Cooperative Sentenced to Prison for Misusing Funds
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney, for the District of Connecticut, announced that DREW RANKIN, 62, the former chief executive officer of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation (“CMEEC”), was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for misusing CMEEC funds.
U.S. Resolves Civil Claims Against Medical Device Manufacturer for Falsely Claiming that Chinese Components Sold to the Federal Government Were American Made
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
The United States has resolved civil claims against a Massachusetts medical device manufacturer for selling Chinese-made products to the federal government that were required by law to have been made in America, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Former Board Member of Connecticut Energy Cooperative Sentenced to Prison for Misusing Funds
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney, for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN BILDA, 59, former City of Norwich representative on the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation (“CMEEC”) Board of Directors, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for misusing CMEEC funds
St. Joseph Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Prison Inmates in Covid Fraud Scheme
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
A St. Joseph, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to using the stolen identities of prison inmates to fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Committee Passes Peters & Hawley Bipartisan Bill To Bolster Dhs Efforts To Detect And Seize Illicit Drugs
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) to ensure that the Department of the Homeland Security (DHS) is efficiently using existing resources and expanding available tools to stop the flow of deadly and illicit drugs like fentanyl into our nation has advanced in the Senate.
Peters Statement On New Postal Service Performance Website
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the United States Postal Service launched a new website for the public that shows mail delivery performance in every community across the nation. The performance dashboard website was required by a historic law Peters championed last year to place the Postal Service on a more sustainable financial footing and support the goal of providing long-term reliable service across the country:
Peters, Cornyn & Padilla Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Federal Workforce And Delivery Of Government Services Advances In Senate
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 31, 2023
Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) to authorize Federal Executive Boards (FEBs), which help improve collaboration among federal agency offices located outside of Washington, D.C., has advanced in the Senate