Texas AG Makes Arrest for Hurricane Katrina Home Repair Fraud

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Fugitive Unit arrested an Austin man who was wanted by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for orchestrating Hurricane Katrina-related home repair scams. Carlos Enrique Sanchez, 42, was arrested at his place of employment in Austin last week.

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office requested assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office on Sept. 1. Sanchez was indicted on three charges of felony home repair fraud related to Hurricane Katrina. Each charge carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Mississippi officials will pursue Sanchez’s extradition from Texas.

According to state investigators in Mississippi, the value of the defendant’s alleged fraud was more than $300,000. The warrants for Sanchez’s arrest were issued May 20. The defendant is accused of taking money from Mississippi residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and not providing the new homes he promised.

Source: Texas Attorney General,
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov