SoCal Woman Charged with Disaster Fraud

SAN DIEGO (CN) - A San Diego woman is charged with defrauding the federal government and the Red Cross by claiming to be a victim of Hurricane Katrina. Cynthia Magee aka Cynthia Magee Turner, 43, is charged with lying to FEMA to get more than $12,000 in benefits, and with fraudulently obtaining Red Cross disaster-relief debit cards and using them to get more than $5,000.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said it brought the case with the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which protects disaster money. Magee/Turner allegedly collected Red Cross debit cards at disaster centers in New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss., and used them to withdraw money.

Prosecutors say she claimed to live at an address in New Orleans that does not exist.

She faces a 6-count indictment accusing her of wire fraud and making false statements.

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