2 Charged with Disaster Relief Fraud

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged two people from Cedar Rapids, Iowa with disaster relief fraud in separate indictments.

Jermaine Graham and Kelley Brutsman face charges that they falsely told FEMA they lived in a flood disaster area in June 2008 in order to claim benefits.

Each faces up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says their claims were unrelated.

Graham and Brutsman are scheduled to appear in federal court on Oct. 31, which is also the deadline for Iowans to file for FEMA flood relief money.