Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Rita Fraud

A Beaumont, Texas man pleaded guilty to making a false statement to FEMA in seeking disaster relief after Hurricane Rita.

Wilyum Henderson, 50, entered the plea in federal court in Beaumont.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Henderson filed a fake claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster housing and individual assistance for losses from the hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast in 2005. He received $2,000 in assistance.

Henderson could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to $250,000. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.