Tornado Fraud Costs Joplin Residents Prison Time

Two people have been sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal disaster benefits after a deadly tornado hit Joplin, Mo., in May 2011.

Fifty-one-year-old Wanda G. McBride of Joplin was ordered Friday to spend six months in federal prison without parole. The Joplin Globe reports that 30-year-old Ronald M. Irby of Joplin was sentenced earlier this month to 15 months in prison.

McBride also must pay $5,628 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison stint. Irby’s prison term is to be followed by five years of supervised release, and he must pay $5,114 in restitution.

Both pleaded guilty to disaster fraud in July.

Prosecutors say both made false claims about tornado damage. McBride obtained temporary rental assistance and Irby a temporary housing unit.