Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to FEMA Fraud

An Okolona, Miss., man has pleaded guilty to FEMA fraud.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that Ronnie G. Beard entered the plea Tuesday in federal court in Aberdeen.

Beard was indicted in December 2011 on two counts that he lied and embezzled money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He claimed a house in Okolona was his primary residence, when in fact it was not, the indictment stated. He claimed it was damaged during April 2011 storms.

He pleaded guilty to making a fraudulent application that the property qualified for disaster assistance.

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

No sentencing date has been set.