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MAN SENTENCED FOR OIL SPILL FRAUD
Gulfport, Miss. –Shawn Albert Townsel, 42, of Lucedale, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to a three year term of probation with nine months home confinement for mail fraud in connection with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis announced. Townsel was also ordered to pay $25,800 to the BP Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
Townsel carried out a scheme to defraud and obtain money from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), the administrative body which administered, processed, and settled certain claims of individuals claiming losses as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Townsel submitted fraudulent employment letters to the GCCF for lost earnings and profits which he allegedly incurred as a result of the spill. An investigation revealed that the documents and claims submitted by Townsel were fraudulent. As a result of his false claim, Townsel received a payment of $25,800.00.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
This case was brought as part of this District’s partnership with the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), a nationwide initiative to protect available funds and assistance for those victims of both natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and the recent Gulf oil spill. If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, you can contact the NCDF by either calling the hotline at (866) 720-5721, faxing (225) 334-4707, emailing at disaster@leo.gov or in writing to National Center for Disaster Fraud, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.
Sheila Wilbanks
Secretary to U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis
United States Attorney’s Office
Southern District of Mississippi
501 E. Court Street, Suite 4.430
Jackson, MS 39201
601-973-2852
